Zippo Manufacturing Co. will launch its first U.S.-based retail stores next month at some of the Las Vegas Strip’s most iconic destinations — the Luxor Hotel and Casino (opening in early May) and the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino (opening in late summer).
After continuous success with its 14 concept store locations in China, Zippo is bringing the full retail concept to the United States.
The new stores are a joint project of Zippo, its distributor in the travel retail market, Sourcing Network International, Luxor and MGM Grand. CITRA Inc., Zippo’s global Duty Free and Travel Retail representative, will be supervising the new endeavor.
“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 Mark Paup, Zippo vice president of sales and marketing. “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.”
For his part, Brett Shannon, Luxor director of retail operations, said, “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.”
To help bring the iconic development to life, Zippo has partnered with Sourcing Network International, a distributor of high-value items to retail locations in casinos, airports, hotels and other tourist destinations, to exclusively supply source Zippo product. Several of the products will be custom designs and exclusive to the new stores.
Based in Bensalem, Sourcing Network International services products to more than 150 American casinos. Under its agreement with Zippo, Sourcing Network International is tasked with opening a Zippo concept store or securing product displays in as many of the 150 partner locations as possible. Zippo’s presence in each chosen casino will range from the size of one display case to an entire store section. In some cases, Sourcing Network International will station its own personnel for sales support.
“Zippo is a name that conjures images of Americana, and its products are set apart by their authenticity and utility,” explained Sourcing Network International chief executive officer Todd Cohen. “This brand is definitely a great fit for the casino demographic. Our plan is to introduce Zippo products to as many casinos as possible. ”
Sourcing Network International EVP Randall Cohen added, “we are truly excited to be working with Zippo, a true American icon, and are confident that their new Zippo-branded lifestyle line of accessories will be a sure hit throughout gaming retail.”
Zippo plans to feature the bulk of its expanding product line at the inaugural Luxor and MGM Grand retail stores, including windproof lighters and lighter products, apparel, bags, fragrances and small leather goods.
The Luxor and MGM Grand locations are the first of three stores planned to open in Las Vegas in the coming year.
“These stores represent a significant expansion into the casino retail channel,” said Zippo director of global licensing Violet Snyder. “We are particularly excited to open the first ever Zippo-branded stores in the U.S. next month.”
