Airport Bargains Spur Shopping.

By Rowland Stiteler / August 04, 1996

Airport Bargains Spur Shopping

St. Louis - The amount the average traveler spends in the airport shops at Lambert International Airport has jumped by almost 40 percent over the past three years, but not because the shops have jacked up prices. According to figures released by the city's aviation authority, travelers are spending more because they are finding something you seldom find at any airport-bargains.

Under an agreement signed when the airport changed retail concessionaires three years ago, prices for consumer merchandise can be no more than 10 percent higher than the average price for similar items at retail stores throughout the metro area. The current airport retail operator, Paradies-Concessions II-Arch Inc., has spent more than $3 million renovating the airport shops, and introduced name brands like Perry Ellis and Christian Dior to the terminals.

As a result, retail sales revenues have almost doubled, to $10.3 million last year, as Paradies has added upscale stores like a PGA pro shop and The Sharper Image.

Airport officials say part of the increased sales volume has to do with the higher passenger volume at the airport. When Paradies took over the concession, the airport averaged about 250 flights a day; now it averages more than 360.

In addition, the typical passenger is spending more at Lambert, 84 cents, compared to 60 cents in 1992. Airport officials say Lambert's share of the revenues has increased with the upswing in airport shopping. The current retailing contract gives the city $1.1 million a year in rental revenue from the shops, or a percentage of their profits, whichever is larger.