WH Smith North America celebrated the openings with a ribbon cutting and donation to Miracle Flights
High-res images can be found here. Credit belongs to Kirk Krein
PHOENIX – On Friday, October 27, WH Smith North America (WHSNA), America’s leading specialty retailer in the airport marketplace, marked the opening of Uptown Phoenix and the neighboring InMotion inside the brand-new Terminal 4, S1 Concourse at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The stores were celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a check presentation to the company’s long-time charity partner, Miracle Flights, which provides free air transportation for children and adults who need help reaching specialty medical care.
WH Smith North America executives Toby Keir, chief executive officer, Roddy McOwan, chief business development officer, and Brian Griffin, divisional vice president, were joined by assistant aviation director and chief revenue officer of PHX, Roxann Favors, for a special ribbon cutting in front of Uptown Phoenix to commemorate the opening. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, WH Smith North America presented a $43,660 check to Robert Sanchez, vice president of operations at Miracle Flights, and Miracle Flights mascot, Miles the Bear. Since the beginning of the partnership in 2021, WH Smith North America has raised a total of $243,316 for the charity through distribution and sale of plush Miles the Bear toys.
Uptown Phoenix offers those traveling to and from the Phoenix area a convenient marketplace to shop for anything they might need on their journey, including gifts, books, wellness products, tech, apparel, beverages, snacks and a full grab & go assortment. Well-known brands like Herschel, Hugo Boss, Ray-Ban and more are available at Uptown Phoenix, as well as beloved local products from companies like Arizona Grass Fed Beef, Untamed Confections, Queen Creek Olive Oil, Kettle Heroes Popcorn and Cutino Hot Sauce Company.
Uptown Phoenix was designed with influences and color schemes that mimic the natural beauty of the Arizona desert. The store features a grand mural created by local artist and Phoenix native, Isaac Caruso. Caruso’s work can be spotted all around the city, and he has recently authored the first children’s book with a story told through street art. His book, Sam & Sara, which features a storyline that was illustrated by real street art he designed for the project, will soon be available to purchase at Uptown Phoenix.
This proprietary concept, celebrating one of Phoenix’s revitalized historic neighborhoods, was created in partnership with three women-owned local Phoenix businesses including Casa Unlimited Enterprises, an ACDBE certified airport operator that has been in business for over 35 years, Changing Hands Bookstore, the city’s longest standing independent bookstore, and Melrose Pharmacy, founded by award-winning local pharmacist Teresa Dickenson.
“We were lucky to have so many fantastic partners involved with this project. The local vendors and businesses, our talented muralist, Isaac Caruso and the City of Phoenix Aviation Department all played such an important role in bringing this store to life,” said Toby Keir, CEO of WH Smith North America. “Uptown Phoenix is a concept that will elevate the experience of travelers, from the design to the variety of products offered in one convenient spot.”
This concept’s opening was completed in conjunction with a new InMotion location, that was built side-by-side with the new Uptown Phoenix. The two stores have a convenient passthrough between the two, creating one large marketplace. InMotion carries the latest tech products from brands such as Apple, Bose, Beats, Sony and GoPro. This opening marks the brand’s fourth location at PHX.
For more information about WH Smith North America locations and retailers, visit marshallretailgroup.com and inmotionstores.com, or to see more dining and retail options available at PHX, visit skyharbor.com.
###
About WH Smith North America
WH Smith is a leading global travel retailer with over 1,700 stores across 30 countries worldwide. WH Smith North America, incorporating Marshall Retail Group (MRG) and InMotion, represents over half of the Company’s international store estate, with c.320 specialty retail stores located in airports and resorts across North America.
MRG prides itself on creating unique experiences for customers by developing distinctive retail store concepts that feature and highlight the local culture, community, and lifestyle of the cities in which they are located. InMotion Entertainment Group is the largest airport-based electronics retailer in travel locations globally, with more than 120 locations throughout the United States. With access and insight into the latest technologies for business and leisure travelers, InMotion offers lifestyle products and electronics that include a wide breadth of headphones, mobile power, Bluetooth speakers and travel accessories. Follow WH Smith North America and InMotion on LinkedIn.
Media Contacts:
Kirvin Doak Communications
marshallretailgrouppr@kirvindoak.com
702.737.3100