CANADA. The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) has announced plans to host a virtual summit for operator members from 15-18 November, at the time usually allotted for its in-person annual convention. The FDFA represents the interests of Canada’s 33 land border duty free shops.
The newly conceived summit will include working sessions designed to help get stores back to business, said the association. The goal, it said, “will be to help stores revitalise innovation, facilitate inventory management and supplier connections”.
“Land border duty free stores have been essentially closed since March 2020 and during that time, there have been changes in the supply chain and inventories have been depleted,” said FDFA Executive Director Barbara Barrett. “Operators need to acquire up-to-date product and innovations.”
The FDFA has set aside the dates of 14-17 November for its convention in 2022, with location and details to be determined.
“With the border partially open, it is time to get them ready for being back to a regular business flow,” said Barrett. “We are excited to be able to connect again, even if only virtually, and certainly excited to be able to talk about getting back to business.”
The association will be introducing a new ‘Brand Discovery Program’ in the new year to facilitate sourcing new competitive products worldwide for Canadian land border duty free stores. Details will follow in coming months.
