The Ottawa International Airport Authority has selected DFASS Group of Companies as Ottawa International’s (YOW) exclusive operator of the airport’s duty free concessions.
The decision came through a request for proposals process that began in late 2015. DFASS will take over the duty free shop locations on September 1, 2016.
“We are very excited about the opportunity to develop the new duty free stores at the Ottawa International Airport,” says Jonathan Potash, president of ground stores for DFASS. “Our global duty free experience and our familiarity with the Canadian duty free environment by way of our program with Air Canada will allow us to create a unique retail program. The store designs reflect the ideas and concepts we have developed with our creative design partners for Dallas and other international airports. Our retail strategy is focused on expanding our footprint in North American airports, and Ottawa represents a key pillar in our targeted Canadian expansion.”
The OIAA set the following priorities for YOW’s new duty free: unique and welcoming store designs; a sense of place; a commitment to service excellence; and product offerings that are high quality, sourced locally and engaging.
“We’ve seen the passion and creativity that DFASS has brought to the table with their recent project in Terminal D at Dallas-Fort Worth, and the fact that the same design team was engaged to work on this project here in Ottawa shows the priority that DFASS has given this opportunity and the enthusiasm with which they approach new markets. We’re confident that they will offer the best of Ottawa to our international travelers,” says Mark Laroche, OIAA president and CEO.
