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Lease Applications Being Accepted for Retail Carts at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL—People interested in leasing a retail cart at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) can now download an application at http://metroairports.org/Airport-Authority/Business-Opportunities/Retail-Cart-Program.aspx

Five retail carts are currently located on Concourse C in Terminal 1-Lindbergh, with two more being added in March.  A cart also will be introduced at Terminal 2-Humphrey next month.  The carts are free-standing units and do not require an investment in building out space within the terminal as traditional shops do.

“Retail carts are ideal for entrepreneurs who want to test a retail concept or who might not have the resources to compete for traditional shop space at MSP,” said Jeff Hamiel, executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates MSP.  “The airport is a dynamic environment with strong sales potential for the right business, and retail carts are a cost-effective way of establishing an airport retailing presence,” Hamiel said.

Applications can be submitted at any time and are scored by a review team as carts become available for lease. Each application is scored according to the following criteria:
1. Merchandise Concept and Display
2. Regional and Local Concepts
3. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Participation
4. Management and Operations Plan
5. Financial Projections and Stability

Current cart operations at MSP include Bluwire wireless and electronic products, In Season apparel and gifts, Let’s Play toys and travel games, Rosetta Stone language learning software, and Sterling Works handcrafted jewelry.

Potential applicants can direct questions to Bruce Rineer, assistant manager for concessions and business development at MAC, at 612-467-0511 or bruce.rineer@mspmac.org.