Page 31 - TFWA World Exhibit 2024 Special Edition

INSIDER

More familiar faces at the FDFA Conventions from 2018, 2019 and 2023.

Emerson Duty Free

Emerson Duty Free, opened in
December 1982, holds a significant place
in Canadian retail history as it was the
recipient of Canada’s first land border
duty free license. The store remains at its
original site, underscoring its stability and
importance in the region. Michael Resch,
the founder, has not only maintained
involvement in the business but has
also played a pivotal role in shaping the
entire Canadian duty free industry. He is
recognized as a pioneer, having contributed
to the establishment of duty free
regulations and is a founding member of
the Frontier Duty Free Association, which
supports Canada’s land border business. impacted revenue and employment in rural What has been your biggest challenge?
Michael Resch’s contributions have communities. The industry’s evolution has
been so impactful that he was inducted been marked by the need to continuously Beyond the impact of the COVID-19
into the Tourism Industry Association of adapt to changing market dynamics, pandemic, Emerson Duty Free has
Canada’s Hall of Fame in 2015. consumer behavior, and regulatory encountered ongoing difficulties rooted in
landscapes. government intervention and regulatory
How has the duty free business changed complexities and adapting the industry
since your store was opened? What has been the most memorable to modern demands in the face of federal
activation/event at your store? inertia. Inflation has also played a role in
Since the store’s inception, the duty eroding the perceived value of duty free
free industry has undergone significant One of the most memorable events in products, further complicating efforts to
transformations, particularly with the store’s history was surviving the flood recover from the economic downturn.
advancements in technology. These include of 1997, which tested the resilience of Despite these challenges, the business
the implementation of sophisticated record- the business. Other significant milestones remains optimistic about recovery,
keeping systems, real-time inventory include the store’s contribution to tourism projecting a return to pre-pandemic sales
tracking, and the integration of online sales through the Visitor Rebate Program and its by 2025, even though current sales are still
platforms. However, it is also important to ongoing efforts to enhance the customer significantly below 2019 levels.
note the challenges posed by government experience, particularly in the spirits
regulations and the competition from category, which has seen remarkable
illicit tobacco sales, which have negatively growth

31 October 2024