Press Release

Duty Free Business, March 2003

Fairn & Swanson Prospers Over The Years

Since its foundation in 1949, FAIRN & SWANSON, INC., located in the California San Francisco Bay area, has evolved into an international retailer, wholesaler, agent and distributor.  Their experience and exceptional customer service set them apart from their competitors. Fairn & Swanson has continued to grow and expand its business throughout their diverse channels of distribution. 

To stay as vibrant and enable further development, Fairn & Swanson relocated their Corporate Headquarters and Distribution Center to a new 105,000 sq. ft. facility in March 2002.  The facility houses a new data center providing centralized control and information for the retail and wholesale businesses to ensure that customer demands are better met and fulfilled. The modern warehouse combines four previous facilities and includes cross-dock and rail access for fast movement of domestic and international shipments.  The use of Exchange Data Information (EDI) solutions coupled with in-house customs brokerage and freight forwarding provides a seamless movement of goods and services to Fairn & Swanson customers and stores.

In efforts to continue to grow and expand its business, Fairn & Swanson has found success most noticeably at Baja Duty Free, their retail division located along the U.S./Mexican border.  Baja Duty Free presently encompasses 5 stores.  The first location opened its doors in 1989 in San Ysidro, California.  The second store opened in 1996 in Eagle Pass, Texas.  In 1999, a third location was opened in Calexico, California.  During 2002, Fairn & Swanson opened their 4^th and 5^th retail stores. 

The 4^th Baja Duty Free store opened in the Shops at the Las Americas Mall, which is located on the San Ysidro/Tijuana border crossing. The 10,000 sq. ft. Baja store is ideally located capturing the attention and business of the diverse customer base in the area:  tourists, families, and retail shoppers who come to the Shops of Las Americas for entertainment, dining and shopping. The mall encompasses 370,000 sq. ft. of open-air retail and restaurant space.  Over the next couple of years, the $260 million development at the mall will include a 25,000 sq. ft. public library/cultural center, and a suspension bridge connecting the mall to downtown Tijuana, Mexico.  With the construction of the suspension bridge, Baja has plans to expand with a location on the bridge.

It was only months later, in November 2002, that Baja opened their 5^th store, located across from the newly renovated San Ysidro Trolley Station, adjacent to the U.S./Tijuana, Mexico pedestrian/vehicular Port of Entry.  On average more than 28,000 people per day use the transportation hub to access inter-city buses, local buses, trolleys and taxis.  The reconstruction of the San Ysidro Transit Station near the International Border will be completed by the end of 2003. The redevelopment includes an enlarged pedestrian plaza, separate bus, jitney and inter-city bus bays, and a new Rail Court entrance.  The Baja Duty Free store will benefit greatly from these enhancements.

The success of Baja Duty Free is primarily due to Fairn & Swanson’s focus on customer service and strong vendor relationships. “Continued expansion of our retail division along the Mexican border is our priority. My plan is to venture into other regions along the Mexican border in the near future”, states Wolfgang Uhlig owner and CEO of Fairn & Swanson.

In an ongoing effort to continue the growth, Fairn & Swanson has developed a Global Marketing Program.  This program helps to increase brand awareness over the wide spectrum of distribution channels within their business sector.  The program offers additional marketing potential for vendors currently involved with Fairn & Swanson’s promotional program.  In addition, it will also help to create new and exciting opportunities for retail stores along the Canadian border as well as in the Cruise Ship Industry where they have had much success over the years. 

Fairn & Swanson’s strength is in its diversified channels of business.  Its focus is to be the most reputable and experienced international retailer, wholesaler and distributor of premium products, by providing superior customer service and execution, and quality merchandise at competitive prices.  With this mission statement in mind, Fairn & Swanson will continue to strive for more growth and development in both existing and emerging markets. 

<< Back to Press Releases