Toronto seeks permission for arrivals store

Emily Pacey

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The airport is to seek approval to open North America's first arrivals duty-free store

Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is in discussions with the Canadian government to open the first arrivals duty-free shop in North America. The airport authority told RavenFox.com that it is in the earliest stages of negotiation, but hopes that eventually the arrivals outlet would be able to serve both international and trans-border passengers.

Media relations manager Scott Armstrong told RavenFox.com: “We have had so many comments from passengers asking about arrivals duty-free services that we know there is demand for it. The goal would be to have arrivals services available to as many people as possible, but we will have to wait and see. I believe that this would make us the first airport in North America to offer arrivals shopping.”

Armstrong also explained the nature of Nuance’s new departure stores in the newly-opened Pier F. The pier is divided into two areas, a trans-border section for those travelling to the US, and an international departures area. The new stores, which cover 18,664sq ft (1,734 sq m) of space, are the first shops in North America to be positioned post-security in a trans-border area.

“Previously, the only duty-free shopping opportunity in the trans-border area at the airport was while you were waiting in line to be pre-cleared by Customs. People would not want to get out of the line to shop, so the retailer was losing sales. Now the duty-free is in the departure lounge after the security gates. Passengers have checked in their luggage and seen their gate and are relaxed – this is an opportunity for them to shop without feeling rushed.”

The Nuance Group and GTAA made a joint application to the US government to gain permission to offer pre-clearance to trans-border passengers, meaning that they go through US Customs before departure rather than on arrival.

A spokesperson from The Nuance Group North America explained why the retailer chose to invest in its Toronto location. “We believe there is great potential in Toronto – at present and going forward," the spokesperson told RavenFox.com. "Toronto Pearson ranks third in North America in terms of international passenger traffic, following Los Angeles International and New York JFK airports. Our Toronto location is the largest contributor of sales for North America and the airport authority has partnered with us to allow us to maximise our duty-free opportunities, especially in the new Pier F, which opened on January 30 in terminal one.”