Airport retailer starts year with expansion in North America
TAMPA, FL (February 22, 2019) – Stellar Partners, Inc. (Stellar) today announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Pacific Gateway Concessions (PGC). The acquisition continues the company’s strategic growth plan as a leading North American airport retailer and will increase its portfolio combined to 99 award-winning news/convenience and specialty stores in 20 airports throughout the United States including airports where it did not previously do business and several sites currently under construction.
PGC is a privately held business with a strong entrepreneurial spirit that helped build an extensive range of on-trend store brands. This spirit has earned the company accolades throughout the industry. Most recently, New Stand at Los Angeles International Airport was named the Best New News and Gift Concept at the 2018 Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) Airport Concessions Awards. Where Traveler Books + More at John F. Kennedy International Airport also earned a 2018 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award as a top News & Essentials airport location. PGC has established itself as an award-winning company known for seeking innovative products and ideas from local suppliers for the airport and Stellar will carry this practice forward.
“As we continue our strategic growth, PGC is a perfect fit for Stellar and our retail portfolio,” said Stellar President and CEO Padraig Drennan. “The brands and their store employees bring extraordinary value and unmatched service to deliver on the travel retail experience. Our business synergies combined with our complementary areas of expertise will empower Stellar’s transformational growth plan.”
“Pacific Gateway’s creative approach to airport retail has contributed to the company’s tremendous growth and success,” Pacific Gateway Concessions CEO Erik Ward. "Stellar’s culture of innovation is the perfect fit for Pacific Gateway and, together, we will bring even more exciting experiences for travelers to airports."
Stellar is one of the fastest growing and top airport retailers in North America. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter.
About Stellar Partners, Inc.
Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Stellar Partners, Inc. is a leading airport retailer that develops, operates, and markets a portfolio of award-winning news/convenience and specialty stores that range from exclusive brands and regional favorites to well-known luxury brands. Founded in 1965, the company currently operates more than 60 stores that enrich the traveler’s shopping experience in 14 major U.S. airports. Stellar was named Best Airport Retailer for 2016 by Airport Revenue News and received the 2018 Airport Minority Advisory Council Inclusive Leader Catalyst Award. For more detailed information on the company and our brands, visit StellarAirportStores.com.
Fairbanks International Airport Baggage Transport Conveyor Enhanced With Mod Drive™ System
Airports face a host of unique industry challenges, such as meeting efficiency regulations and seeking out the best maintenance practices to reduce costs and keep operations flowing. In today’s current economic climate, any potential cost savings can go a long way.
In 2019, Alaska’s Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) sought to modernize its equipment and operations. They were dissatisfied with the performance of the gearmotors on their baggage transport conveyors and began searching for new suppliers. Regal approached FAI with a solution that could improve equipment performance and simplify maintenance, with the added benefit of energy cost savings: the Hub City® MOD Drive™ system.
This white paper discusses the hardware deployed, the test results and the annualized expectations for ROI.