Airport Wireless®, the leading wireless and mobile electronics retailer in airports across the nation, is driving a change in strategy for significant growth and expansion in 2008. As part of that strategy, the company is expanding its portfolio to offer a wider array of devices and accessories, and therefore will begin transforming all Airport Wireless® stores previously marketed under the Palm® brand into Airport Wireless® locations.
“As of January 31, we are no longer exclusively co-branding with Palm, Inc. We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial alliance with Palm over the past five years, but our expansion plans call for us to carry a wider array of products,” noted Iris Goldschmidt, co-CEO and president. “We still expect to carry Palm products, but we are going to add to that portfolio with products from companies like Nokia and RIM, as well as expand to more stores.”
“Airport Wireless is a retailing expert, and our alliance with them has been great,” said Charlie Simpson, director, Palm Retail and Web Stores, Palm, Inc. “Their strategy going forward is to focus more on expanding their retail presence to a wider array of products, and our strategy is to focus more on delivering great mobile products and less on driving a retail presence. This change should be good for both companies.”
Customers may notice the change on the marquees first, but the transformation will become even more apparent when they enter the store and see the much wider selection of wireless products and accessories. Airport Wireless® has begun forging partnerships with companies such as Nokia and BlackBerry, two of the industry leaders in the manufacturing and development of cutting-edge wireless devices and accessories. Airport Wireless® will continue to stock accessories that are compatible with Palm devices. In addition, the company is in discussions with Palm on maintaining the manufacturer’s devices as part of the selection in stores.
This broad expansion of available products comes at a time when Airport Wireless® is positioned for rapid growth. The company currently owns and operates 31 retail locations in major airports across the country. In the next 18 months, Airport Wireless® expects to add another 19 locations to its portfolio.
“Discerning airline travelers want access to the latest wireless entertainment and communications devices and knowledgeable, friendly sales associates who can help them make informed decisions about which devices and accessories are right for them,” noted Ilene Berman, co-CEO and president of Airport Wireless®. “With our anticipated expansion of stores, our wider selection of products and our team of experienced associates, we are poised to deliver even greater value to today’s traveler.”
Many of the new locations will take on the look and feel of the company’s latest concept, TechShowcase. Airport Wireless® launched this new concept with the first location at Oakland International Airport in December 2007. TechShowcase provides travelers with the opportunity to test the latest technology devices while they are at the airport.
ABOUT AIRPORT WIRELESS
In 1996, the principals of Airport Wireless opened The Cellular Shop, a cellular telephone and accessory store in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. The next year, Airport Wireless began selling wireless phones and accessories from a small merchandise cart in Terminal B of the Philadelphia International Airport followed in 1998 by locations in Philadelphia, Cleveland-Hopkins and Newark Liberty International Airports. In 2003, Airport Wireless signed an exclusive agreement to operate Palm’s airport locations. Airport Wireless has since become a successful retailer with large in-line stores. Currently, there are 31 Airport Wireless stores and now TechShowcase (the group’s latest and most innovative high-technology concept) locations serving travelers in major airports around the country. Airport Wireless is a WDBE, or Woman’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. Visit www.airportwireless.com and www.techshowcase.com for more information.