Canadian border and airport stores post C$524m in 2015 sales

Land border duty-free sales saw an increase from overall 2014 sales of C$143m to an increase of C$149m – a 4% annual increase.

Airport duty-free shops saw total 2015 sales of C$375m which is an increase compared to 2014 of 16%.

Overall, the combined airport and land border sales figure for Canada was C$524 million for 2015

FDFA executive director Laurie Karson said: “With the current exchange rate, and key tourism initiatives taking place, we are well positioned especially for this upcoming high season in 2016 to exceed sales expectations and traffic numbers.”

She added, the FDFA is currently pursuing with all government officials – both federally and in our communities across the country – the Road TRIP intuitive to allow Americans a 5% rebate on all goods purchased – thus only rebatable at land border duty-free shops. “We know that over 60% of the time, customers, if given a cash rebate will spend that money in our stores and our suppliers products. We will keep the membership informed of our lobbying progress to have this initiative approved in the Federal Budget.”

In December, overall national land border duty-free sales reached C$12 million, an approx. 7.3% increase in sales compared to December 2014.

Meanwhile, national airport duty-free sales for December 2015 was C$33 million – an increase in sales of approx. 8.5% compared to December 2014 sales.