Thanks to the flexibility of the system, LS Central supports much of what duty free operators need. ARI's long partnership with LS Retail goes back to the 1990s, and it has made LS Retail software its standard solution.
Boarding card and passenger data capture
The duty free module captures boarding card information by scanning, and passport data manually. The information collected includes flight data, passenger data, route, tax group and more, which gives useful insight for customer analysis.
Tax and tax refunds by route and nationality
The system calculates tax and tax refunds based on variables such as passenger nationality, country of departure and arrival, and route.
Purchase limits on restricted products
ARI can set amount limits for products that can only be sold in limited quantities. Limits can be set by variables such as number of items, product group and subgroup, route traveled and customer nationality, which is useful for alcoholic beverages, whose sale is often restricted by type. If a customer exceeds the permitted limits, the system shows an error or a warning message, depending on administrator settings.
STEB bag handling and multi-currency pricing
Customizations let ARI serialize and label STEB bags. A built-in currency utility provides totals, price checks and balances in many different currencies.
Flight-aware offers
The duty free module integrates flight information and airport timetables, so operators can create personalized setups and offers, for example based on the time left until the flight.
Duty free and duty paid in the same location
A system utility lets ARI sell both duty free and duty paid in the same location. Prices and totals adapt automatically based on boarding pass data.
Local fiscal and customs requirements met
LS Central can be highly customized to meet local fiscal and customs demands. For example, passport data capture was introduced for Indian locations in response to specific legal requirements.
Shop and collect, online and in store
ARI has implemented shop and collect at return in all locations, and eCommerce integration lets customers order online and pick up at departure or arrival.
What was holding the business back
The source does not describe ARI's previous setup. Its needs, however, are clear from what the system now handles: local fiscal and customs rules that differ by country, restrictions on products such as alcohol, tax that depends on nationality and route, and both duty free and duty paid sales in the same store.
The decision and the foundation
ARI and LS Retail have worked together since the 1990s, and ARI chose LS Retail software as its standard solution for duty free operations. "Simply, it works," is how the source sums up the reason ARI has stayed with LS Retail for so long. The system's flexibility and effectiveness, and its ability to adapt to different markets while keeping the focus on giving travelers the best service, have made it an invaluable partner to ARI.
Q&A: insights from ARI's implementation
How does the system handle tax for international travelers?
It calculates tax and tax refunds based on variables such as passenger nationality, country of departure and arrival, and route, using data captured from the boarding card and passport.
How does ARI control sales of restricted products?
It sets limits by number of items, product group and subgroup, route and customer nationality. If a customer exceeds a limit, the system shows an error or warning, depending on administrator settings.
How does ARI meet local legal requirements in different countries?
LS Central can be highly customized for local fiscal and customs demands. Passport data capture, for example, was introduced for Indian locations in response to specific legal requirements.
How does ARI serve customers who shop online?
eCommerce integration lets customers order online and pick up at departure or arrival, and shop and collect at return is in place in all locations.
