Aer Rianta International North America (ARINA) has confirmed it has been awarded a seven-year and five-month duty free tender at Canada’s Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport.

 

ARINA points to a contract, which starts this December selling souvenirs, watches, gifts, food and toys to both International and Transborder passengers from its new 400sq m store, which will be branded ‘The Loop Hors Taxes’.

 

‘EXCEPTIONAL UNDERSTANDING’ OF PASSENGERS

Commenting on the new contract gain, ARI CEO Jack MacGowan said: “ARI has had a long and very successful association with Canada and in particular Québec since 1998. It’s a region we know really well and we have built up an exceptional understanding of the passenger demographic over the past 20 years of operations there.

 

“Capturing this key contract on the back of our success in winning Canadian Duty Free Retailer of the Year in 2016 reinforces our commitment to the Canadian duty free market.

 

“I look forward to working with our new partners in Québec International Airport to deliver a tailor-made consumer-led proposition that will not only enhance the overall passenger experience, but also drive sustained commercial success.”

 

PASSENGERS ARE SAID TO BE ‘EXCITED’

Adding his comments, the President and CEO of Aéroport de Québec Inc., Gaëtan Gagné commented: “A new retail environment is an important component in the YQB 2018 project. Our passengers are excited about discovering their new airport building and we can feel a growing sense of enthusiasm in the community.

 

“The concessions announced today match the requirements of a world-class airport and offer passengers a retail experience that reflects the most recent airport trends, providing a wide range of products and services with a local, but also national and international, outlook.”

 

With this in mind, ARI describes the store design as contemporary with predominantly black and white colours mixed with touches of dark and light woods to define categories.

 

LONGER DWELL TIMES…

The operator says the curved, free-flowing layout is designed to maximise customer dwell time and showcase ARI’s Whisky Collection and Fragrance Studio concepts, alongside bespoke areas for the remaining core categories.

 

ARI also points to the ‘Sense of Place’ created within the native Quebecois products section, where ‘the stark beauty of a Canadian winter’ has been recreated and reflected by a white corrugated back-illuminated surround frame.

 

The operator says this is designed to highlight the branded personalised wall units for local Ice Wines and Ciders.