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DDF sales up by 36pc

The total sales reached Dh l .26 billion ($350 million), which place the operation well on track for record year end results. Commenting on the results, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai said: “Sales at Dubai Duty Free have consistently grown throughout the year and annual sales are expected to reach $500 million, which represents an increase of 30 per cent over last year.”

Major category growth can be seen across most sectors. Sales of Gold, which currently account for 11 per cent of total sales at Dubai Duty Free, have increased by an impressive 40 per cent. Meanwhile, Perfumes, which account for 12 per cent of sales rose by 41per cent in the first nine months of the year. Cosmetics sales rose by 70 per cent, Sunglasses by 50 per cent and Cameras and Accessories by 64 per cent.

CoIm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said: “There are a number of factors driving the increasing sales figures, including the opening of new Shops that have dramatically improved the central retail area in Shaikh Rashid Terminal. In the past year alone, we opened a new Gold Shop, a new Watch Shop and the Gifts from Dubai Shop.”

DDF is currently positioned as number three in the world in terms of turnover.

An estimated 42 per cent of all passengers traveling through the airport purchase duty free goods, compared to the industry average of 15-20 per cent. In addition, the average spend per departing passenger is currently $36, which is way above the industry average.

“We will continue to review the retail offer and new plans include the introduction of a new Fashion Area in Shaikh Rashid Terminal and the expansion of the Arrivals Duty Free in Terminal I.”

Dubai Duty Free will celebrate 21 years of operation on December 20. It currently employs over 1,300 staff and on average, handles 30,000 sales transactions every day.