Greater Toronto Airports Authority calls for retail proposals

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By Trevor Lloyd-Jones

Toronto's rebuilt Pearson International airport is emerging as one of North America's biggest concession opportunities. The first phase of the airport's C$4.4bn ($2.8bn) expansion will be completed by October 2003. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is developing over 122,000sq ft (11,338sq m) of new concessions including the first bid package of 37 individual newsstand/bookstore locations.

Developments coming on line include the "T1-New" facility (pictured) which is projected to process over 22m passengers by 2005, the expansion of terminal 3 (which will accommodate over 10m passengers), and a new international passenger holdroom facility. New concession opportunities include both existing and new terminals. 

GTAA told TRW it plans to issue a single Request for Proposals to operate 32 newsstands and 5 bookstores throughout the airport, encompassing over 41,000sq ft (3,810sq m). The RFP will be issued today April 12 2002. A pre-bid briefing meeting is scheduled for May 2 2002. Proposals for individual speciality retail concessions will be issued later in the third quarter of 2002. 

Major retail clusters are being created to showcase well-known local retailers along with international brands and retail zones themed to reflect Toronto's diverse districts. GTAA wants its vision to evoke retail streetfronts such as Toronto's Yorkville or Bloor Street and the upmarket Queen Street brand boutiques.