APW Brands

In 1996 the principals of APW Brands opened The Cellular Shop, a cellular telephone and accessory store in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. The Cellular Shop was a dealership for Comcast MetroPhone cellular telephones and service.

In 1997 Airport Wireless® began selling wireless phones and accessories from a small merchandise cart in Terminal B of the Philadelphia International Airport. In 1998 a small in-line store Airport Wireless® store was opened in the Philadelphia International Airport’s main shopping area. This operation was a resounding success. Subsequently, Airport Wireless® locations were opened in the Cleveland-Hopkins and Newark Liberty International Airports.

In 2003, Airport Wireless® was approached by Westfield Concession Management’s Vice President of Development, with an opportunity to operate a new direct retail concept in concert with Palm Inc. Palm was seeking an experienced airport operator with an excellent customer service record, and the employee caliber necessary to convey their high technology products to sophisticated customers. After signing an exclusive agreement to operate Palm’s airport locations, Airport Wireless Palm became the leading wireless and mobile electronics retailer in airports across the nation.

In February 2008 Palm, Inc. and Airport Wireless decided to divest their endeavors. According to Charlie Simpson, Palm’s Director of Retail and Web Stores, "Airport Wireless is a retailing expert, and our alliance with them has been great," "Their strategy going forward is to focus more on expanding their retail presence to a wider array of products, and our strategy is to focus more on delivering great mobile products and less on driving a retail presence. This change should be good for both companies."

All of the Airport Wireless Palm locations continue to operate as Airport Wireless stores with familiar faces manning the counters.

The operators of Airport Wireless launched their innovative Techshowcase™ high technology concept in November 2007. It was conceived to meet the demands of the business traveler for high technology products which keep them connected and productive while on the road. These are people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to personally test these products by way of live demonstration. Techshowcase™ serves as a launch pad for the world’s leading mobile electronics manufacturers. Technophiles can preview the latest mobile electronics devices before they are released into to market. Because technology products have a notoriously short life cycle, care is taken to insure the latest wares are in stock. Interactive exhibits are frequently replaced or refreshed. The idea is for travelers to enjoy a new experience upon each visit.