Airport Shopping

Airport shopping does not have to mean a lack of choices for parents who may be looking for a last minute gift, or may need another activity to distract the kids. In fact, a number of airports are offering better shopping options for their passengers, and therefore more choices outside of the usual newsstands and souvenir stores.

Examples of this trend towards better shopping options at the airport for families include Mindworks, a specialty toy and gift store, which has opened its sixth store in the retail gallery at Philadelphia International Airport; and the National Geographic store open at LaGuardia Airport.

Susan Stackhouse is president of Stellar Partners, which developed Mindworks specifically for airports. According to Stackhouse,“Just a few years ago, specialty children’s stores were missing from airport retail. Now our stores meet the need for children’s gifts and activities, and offer a playful, exciting environment for all travelers.”

The part of the air travel market that caters to families has not always seemed to adequately address the needs of parents traveling with children. Although play areas exist in many airports around the world, a number of airports are moving beyond simply offering play space at airports. Here are just a few of the highlights at airports that are indicative of this trend:

LaGuardia Airport
- Figs Restaurant - Kids Eat Free! For the summer of 2004, families can take advantage of the Kids Eat Free special with the purchase of an adult entrée.
- In-Motion Pictures - DVD players and popular kids’ movies rentals for use on the plane.

Philadelphia International Airport
- Airport Magic Shop, Discovery Channel Store, and Mindworks
- Please Touch Museum's Aviation Play Station: play area that includes interactive displays related to aviation like a jumbo jet, a smaller plane where children are the "pilots", a ticket counter, and a control tower with a slide.
- Youth Art Gallery

More adventures in shopping and services for families braving air travel to come...

A special thank you to Deborah Black of Marketplace Development for the resources on the airport retail and service initiatives taking place at LaGuardia and Philadelphia International.