CANADA. Michael Beler’s Douglas Crossing Duty Free is poised to open its temporary store later this month after protracted delays caused by a legal challenge to the award of the licence.
The store is now likely to open soon after the 19th Frontier Duty Free Association Convention & Awards to be held in Toronto on 9-12 November 2003.
President Mike Beler told The Moodie Report earlier today: “Things are going well here. Unfortunately, we are now being held up by the plumbing department (of all things) of the city of Surrey. Once they issue the permit (any day now), we’ll be ready to go.
“The bulk of our inventory is already received and on the shelf, our MIS systems are working as designed and we’re flush with applications for positions. We’ll be hiring today (from a group that is available to start immediately) and training the new team through Tuesday. All in all, considering the site was nothing more than a field of weeds up to the Thanksgiving weekend 4 weeks ago, I think we’ve done remarkably well.”
Beler paid tribute to those in the business who have stood by him during the trying past few months. “We’ve been fortunate in that there are those in the industry that actually care and were prepared to help out when I really needed it – unlike those who it appears were spending their time in Cannes spreading rumours about my demise.”
He added: “Douglas Crossing Duty Free is in fine shape and moving forward; and DFX Distribution [Beler’s long-time duty free distribution company] is founded on service and trust. It exists as a function of the relationships forged over the years with its supplier partners and it too is doing well.”
Beler had some short, sharp words for his critics: “There are important issues concerning the Canadian border industry lying ahead for all operators. I have to believe the energy needed to try to discredit Douglas Crossing Duty Free can be better spent on what’s important for all us, improving our business – witness the excellent job Blue Water Bridge Duty Free has done [winning the recent Frontier Airport/Land-based Retailer of the Year Award – Ed].
