Canadian border retailer Peace Arch Duty Free has reported a 15% rise in sales in the year to date, which it attributed primarily to its expansion into the luxury goods sector. Overall sales at Canada’s land border crossings are up by about 5%.
The store caters for a high number of Asian travellers. According to Peace Arch Duty Free president Peter Raju, spend per head is more than $75, the highest rate at a Canadian border crossing. He added that despite construction work, new legislation requiring travellers between the US and Canada to carry a passport and the rising value of the Canadian dollar, the 15% increase vindicates the retailer’s decision to focus on an upscale duty-free offer catering for all consumers.
Cartier and Omega have established shop-in-shop concepts at the location, and Gucci, Longines and Christian Dior watches are customising their boutique shop-in-shops. Raju said the Peace Arch Duty Free store is the first in North America to list the Bvlgari cosmetics line. The company has also added Dunhill leathergoods and plans to expand its men’s designer clothing range. It has already expanded its British Columbia wine and icewine collection and upgraded display fixtures in the liquor section.
Construction work at the border is nearing completion and Raju said he expects double-digit growth in 2010, with the addition of leading brands into the store and the Winter Olympics next year in Vancouver.
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