Surrey duty-free owner wants compensation during trade war with U.S.

It’s been about a month since 1130 NewsRadio first told you about the Surrey business owner who said his sales have been hit as British Columbians avoid travelling south amid growing tensions with the United States.

Peter Raju, president and owner of the Peace Arch Duty Free by the Highway 99 border crossing, tells 1130 NewsRadio that things have gone from bad to worse.

“Our business has deteriorated to almost being non-existent,” he explained.

On Wednesday, he claims he made $2,000 in sales, a tenth of what he says the store usually pulls in — ranging from $20,000 to $25,000 a day.

“I have already advised my staff that we will have to start laying them off come Monday if no changes are made,” he said.

Raju says he currently employs more than two dozen people but has been getting by in recent days with just three workers because business has dropped off so significantly.

“It’s so unfortunate because over the weekend we had so many American customers, especially from Washington state, who have come and supported us and saying they are quite sympathetic and reminded us … they did not vote for Donald Trump and are very upset with British Columbians being told not to visit them because it’s also hurting them.”

The provincial government has never given a public directive, but Raju says the province has been encouraging people not to travel to the U.S.

“I mean, this trade war could take a while, and the government has said nothing to how businesses will be compensated,” he said.

“We’ve just come out of COVID, we cannot have another situation where we close down. We don’t know which way to go. My staff are worried every day — they have to pay their bills.”

Raju says he’s reached out to the premier’s office and the BC Liquor officials to get more information.

“Just tell us how the government will support industries like ours,” he said.

In addition to potentially laying off staff, Raju says he’s also considering scaling back store hours next week.

“Instead of opening at 7 a.m., we will probably be opening at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., instead of 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.”

Raju says that late Thursday, the province reached out to him and said it would take steps to set up a meeting with BC Liquor officials.

1130 NewsRadio has reached out to the premier’s office for comment.