The Moody Report – Following the success of its 14 concept store locations in China, Zippo is now bringing the full retail concept to the US. The US maker of the windproof pocket lighter and allied lifestyle products is set to open its first US-based retail stores in Las Vegas, at the Luxor Hotel & Casino in early May and the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino later this summer.
The new store is a joint project between Zippo; its distributor in the travel retail market, Sourcing Network International (SNI); Luxor and MGM Grand. CITRA Inc, Zippo’s global duty free and travel retail representative, will be supervising this new endeavour.
“Casinos represent an untouched, yet promising retail medium for Zippo, especially considering that Zippo windproof lighters in the luck and gambling category are perennial best sellers,” said Zippo Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mark Paup.
“Today, Zippo is more than lighters and has become a sought-after lifestyle brand. We are excited to work with these MGM properties and SNI to introduce a new array of products to a whole new audience,” Paup added.
Luxor Director of Retail Operations Brett Shannon added: “We are pleased to add Zippo to our collection of retail options at Luxor, and look forward to working with both Zippo and SNI as we open the first store of its kind.” The new facility will be staffed and managed by Luxor’s retail division.
