Flying and Buying: "Life is good" at LAX

East Rutherford, NJ - January 23, 2007 - California's flying public has fallen for a new face. He's skinny, bald and toothy, and wears shades and a cool beret. Like a true star, he even goes by a single name, Jake.

What makes Jake irresistible to travelers? Travel retailer Hudson Group, best known for its national newsstand brand, Hudson News, believes it is Jake's combination of comfy clothing and accessories - along with a simple, life-affirming message: Celebrate Life: Life is good.

Hudson has introduced Jake and his trendy merchandise to customers at two California airports, Los Angeles International (LAX) and John Wayne/Orange County (JWA). A new 500-square foot Celebrate Life: Life is good specialty retail store opened in LAX last Friday, part of Hudson's ongoing investment (over $2 million to date) in modernizing the airport's retail concessions program. A temporary (soon to be permanent) store has been open in John Wayne for about a week. And the flying public is buying.

"The response to both stores has been overwhelming, and we are very pleased with initial sales," noted Joe DiDomizio, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Hudson Group. "In fact, we have experienced great success with this brand in every airport where we have opened stores - Chicago Midway, Atlanta Hartsfield and Nashville. We have several other locations under construction, set to open soon. And airports keep calling us to inquire how they too can add 'Life is good' to their retail lineups."

Jake and Life is good are the life's work of two brothers from Boston, Bert and John Jacobs. They got their start in 1989, selling T-shirts out of a van and have since grown the business to a multi-million dollar company. Inc. magazine recently called Life is good "a cultural phenomenon." Travelers simply love the merchandise - cheerfully-hued apparel in soft natural colors and fibers, coordinating sandals, backpacks, mugs, toys and more. All feature the smiling Jake, his dog Rocket and other members of their cartoon entourage in an array of exploits dear to the active lifestyle: kayaking, golf, surfing, rock climbing, running, hiking and the like.

About Hudson Group: Hudson Group is a privately held corporation that operates more than 500 newsstands, bookstores and premier specialty retail shops in 66 airports and transportation terminals throughout North America. The company's flagship concept, Hudson News, is North America's only national newsstand brand. Under the familiar blue sign can be found the most complete selection of magazines in the aviation industry, along with newspapers and a wide variety of travelers' necessities, snacks and bottled soft drinks. Hudson Group specialty retail shops include such proprietary brands as Hudson Booksellers, Kids Works, Euro Cafe, $10/$15 Boutique, and more. Other national brands partnering with Hudson Group include Discovery Channel, CNN, Crabtree & Evelyn, Roots, House of Blues, Sunglass Hut and Quiznos.