Ferry company Stena Line has recorded significant increases in duty free sales onboard its vessels since the end of the Brexit transition period. On some routes, sales are up by over 50% – despite there being noticeably less passengers onboard due to both Brexit and coronavirus.
As RTE reports, sales on some ferries operating between the EU and UK increased by more than half in Q1 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
The figures are all the more remarkable given the significantly lower levels of traffic on ferries between Britain and Ireland. Less passengers are using the services due to coronavirus travel restrictions, while freight traffic has also taken a dip as hauliers have been avoiding the landridge route into mainland Europe.
Stephen Bryden, Stena Line’s Head of Onboard Sales and Services, is quoted as saying the jump in sales has prompted the company to extend its duty free offering even further.
The sales increase is largely down to the better deals Stena Line has been able to offer as a result of the UK leaving the EU Single Market. Essentially the duty free goods genuinely are almost duty free – making alcohol, cigarettes and cosmetics up to 60% cheaper in some cases.
In Q1 2021, sales on routes between Britain and mainland Europe were 34% higher compared to Q1 2020. On Irish Sea routes between Britain and Ireland, the increases were as much as 53%. In addition, the average amount spent in Stena Line’s duty free shops rose 80% per person.
Commenting on the figures, Stena Line’s Stephen Bryden said that the sales increase was a “welcome side-effect of Brexit”.
„The ferry sector has suffered worse than many other sectors as we have remained fully operational 24/7 during pandemic, despite having lower passenger and freight levels, so the boost from Duty Free is a welcome side-effect of Brexit not only for us but for all our passengers too.”
Photo credit: Tony Webster / Flickr
