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SALT LAKE CITY — How much will you pay at shops you'll find in the remodeled Salt Lake City International Airport? The same as you would outside.
Officials Tuesday announced the collection of retail, news and gift stores in the remodel's first phase, scheduled to open in fall 2020. Overall, the historic redevelopment is on track to cost $3.6 billion.
Twenty-nine stores from Hudson Group, Paradies Lagardére, Sweet Ventures, Inc., and XpresSpa were selected for the first phase of the project. New brands from local, regional and national stores coming to the airport include Coach, Frye, King’s English, Hip & Humble and MAC. In addition, some traditional shops currently at the airport will be offered in the redeveloped facility, including Dufry Duty-Free, No Boundaries and Utah.
"We've tried to design a program in these new facilities that really matched, to the best extent possible, the needs of the passenger," explained John Buckner, director of administration and commercial services for the Department of Airports. "What folks will see in 22 months will be really spectacular."
Buckner said the airport will implement "street pricing" in shops located in the new facilities, meaning passengers will pay the same prices charged at store locations outside of the airport as they will on-site.
"That's a big commitment for the city, the airport and the retailers because it is so expensive to do business at an airport," he said. The added expense comes from the cost of extra security at airports and longer business hours, he said.
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The choices will include a selection of brand names that have become familiar to consumers and travelers in the community, he said.
"We're trying to get the ideal mix of local and regional brands, but also national and international brands," he said. "It's all the amenities and other things that you might not think of that you've come to expect in a world-class airport."
The first phase of airport remodel will include a central terminal, the west end of two concourses and a parking garage. The initial phase is scheduled for completion in fall 2020, with the second phase scheduled to be finished in late 2024.
"Our team went through an extensive selection process to get the right combination of local, regional and national brands for those traveling through SLC," said Bill Wyatt, executive director of the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. "We are thrilled with the outcome and our passengers will be excited with the combination of dynamic shops opening in 2020."
