ARI North America named as top Canadian airport duty free company at industry awards

NORTH AMERICA. ARI North America is celebrating victory in three categories at The Gold Standard Awards.

For the second year in a row, the retailer was named Best Canadian Airport Duty Free Company.

Salome De La Rosa, a Luxury Sales Associate at ARI North America’s Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport store, won the first ever Outstanding Airport Duty Free Store Employee Award. Jacques Dagenais was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. It recognises his contribution and service to both the duty free industry and Aer Rianta International for over 24 years.

The ARI North America team celebrate the retailer being named Best Canadian Airport Duty Free Company

The awards were presented at the annual Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) Convention. The FDFA is the industry association for Canada’s land border and airport duty free shops.

Commenting on being named best duty free company, ARI North America General Manager Jackie McDonagh said: “This accolade is a huge honour for Aer Rianta International in North America and for all of the teams who work in Montréal, Halifax and Winnipeg.

“This award is significant for us and it is particularly pleasing as it represents a resounding endorsement from our brand suppliers of the quality of the retail product offering at The Loop.”

Salome De La Rosa (centre), a Luxury Sales Associate at ARI North America’s Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport store, won the first ever Outstanding Airport Duty Free Store Employee Award

McDonagh also congratulated De La Rosa for her “consistent outstanding service and commitment” and had words of praise for Dagenais.

“Aer Rianta has had the great pleasure of having Jacques Dagenais on our team,” she said. “With a wealth of knowledge and experience across the duty free industry, Jacques is truly deserving of this Lifetime Achievement Award. We want to congratulate and thank him for all his dedication, commitment and service to Aer Rianta International and the duty free industry.”

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