Neighbor News
Airline International Joins New Travel Goods Trade Association
Airline International, an El Paso based luggage and travel goods retailer, has joined the United Luggage Dealers Associates.
As business and leisure travelers emerge from the enforced hiatus caused by COVID-19, a new trade association for the travel goods industry is ready to help specialty retailers like El Paso’s Airline International get back on track.
The United Luggage Dealers Associates (ULDA) succeeds the National Luggage Dealers Association (NLDA), which was founded in 1925. The travel recession of the past year led a number of specialty luggage, leather and travel goods retailers to close their doors. ULDA will continue the NLDA legacy, helping retailers improve their buying and negotiating power, stock exclusive merchandise, market more effectively, share their industry knowledge, and enhance vendor relations.
It’s challenging to own a travel store when COVID-19 made many people skittish about traveling, but Jerry, Edward and Rebecca Kallman of the family-owned Airline International Luggage, Pens & Gifts in El Paso are excited for the future. During COVID, they pivoted with a three-pronged approach: maintain an online presence, adopt safety measures so people feel comfortable venturing into their store, and offer products designed with the germophobe traveler in mind.
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“I feel there is a pent-up desire that is building in all of us, and we are anxious to travel, take vacations, and visit destinations that we miss or have never seen,” said Jerry Kallman, whose store has been a fixture in El Paso since 1978. The family has been involved in numerous community organizations over the years as well.
Globally, the luggage market is expected to generate almost $23 billion in sales by 2025, driven by improving economies around the world.
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“Our members are travel specialists who have all the latest travel and business accessories to make travel and work life more enjoyable,” says Ronald Levine, former NLDA import and operations manager, who is launching ULDA. “We survived the pandemic, and now we’re on the cusp of a great resurgence in travel. It’s my mission to help our members succeed.”
Consolidation in retail has meant fewer choices for consumers when it comes to finding stores that meet their needs. Retailers like Airline International will aim to enhance the specialty store experience and continue to build customer loyalty with both consumer and corporate El Paso shoppers.”
Airline International
8701 Montana Avenue, El Paso