Aer Rianta International’s North America division (ARINA) recorded a double-digit uptick in duty free and travel retail sales across its Canada airports last year.

ARINA General Manager Jackie McDonagh confirmed the +11% increase in sales in an exclusive interview with TRBusiness in the March edition, available from the press racks at the upcoming Travel Retail and Duty Free Summit of the Americas.

The performance was ‘greatly driven’ by The Loop Duty Free’s upgraded outlet at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, which unveiled in October.

ROCKETING SKINCARE GROWTH

Beauty and skincare led the pack, recording a sales increase of +53% year-on-year driven by ‘star performers’ La Mer and Estée Lauder, while local brands also contributed
to the mix.

“As a souvenir you can only get in Canada, Peller Ice Wines are our top selling in-store items,” explained McDonagh. “With the increased traffic from Asian passengers we have seen a significant lift in sales of this brand, which they buy as a gift.

“Rudsak [Canadian luxury fashion brand] has also seen a 77% increase over 2016 and was expanded in both Montréal stores in 2017.

“In the international store, a personalised shop was created and the assortment expanded to include a lot more coats, leather jackets, leather bags and accessories.”

The Montréal store has benefitted from a $500m capital investment programme in 2016/2017 courtesy of Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) that has placed a strong focus on infrastructure development and improved customer experience.

“We also added a few new concept sections to the liquor department with L’amour du Vin a beautiful section reminiscent of a grand wine cellar,” said McDonagh.

The addition of new flight destinations has also boosted sales figures, according to McDonagh, with a +13.5% year-on-year increase in international passengers through the airport in 2017.

“We are pleased to have been working in partnership with Aer Rianta International for several years,” added Philippe Rainville, President and CEO, Aéroports de Montreal.

“[They] share our commitment to the customer experience by offering quality services, always listening to our passengers’ needs, and promoting international and local Montréal brands. The Loop is a perfect example of our very successful partnership.”

SOLID QUEBEC FEEDBACK

Elsewhere, ARINA’s new Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport concession (pictured right) went live in December, serving international and transborder passenger traffic.

The seven-year and five-month contract, which it won in July, covers all core categories as well as souvenirs, watches, gifts, food and toys.

The four-fold increase in retail footprint delivers 400sq m of retail space and a project investment in excess of $1m from ARINA, with passengers reportedly ‘very happy with the expanded assortment,’ says McDonagh.

Meanwhile, ARINA is set to benefit from reshaping of the retail footprint at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport to add new offerings this year.

In December, ARINA collected ‘Best Canadian Airport Duty Free Company’ for the second consecutive year at the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) Annual Convention Gold Standard Awards.

ARINA also landed ‘Best Airport Duty Free Retailer in Canada’ and the first ever ‘Outstanding Airport Duty Free Store Employee’ award for an employee at its Montreal store.

“We have a clear project to deliver increased levels of customer service in all our stores across North America” McDonagh added.

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