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Abu Dhabi — Abu Dhabi Airports announced on Sunday that Abu Dhabi Airport Duty Free exceeded sales of Dh1 billion in 2014, closing the year at Dh1.009 billion, representing a rise of 10.5 per cent versus Dh912.9 million sales recorded in 2013.
Ali Majed Al Mansoori, chairman, Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “This significant milestone confirms that we are providing passengers with the diverse services and offerings they expect at a major international airport and reflects the incredible growth in passengers, largely driven by the success of the national airline, Etihad Airways.”
A number of new retail stores opened in 2014, including two new multi-category Duty Free stores, a new 253 square metre award-winning fragrance boutique in Terminal 3, refurbished core duty free stores on the Terminal 1 upper level, and several initiatives, including a new wellness spa and Minimart outlet.
Beauty and fragrance emerged as the biggest selling product categories in 2014, with a 31 per cent share of Duty Free turnover increasing sales by 9.7 per cent over 2013.
Indian, Chinese and Emirati passengers continued to account for the highest share of sales at the airport (36 per cent). In addition, passenger spending registered an increase throughout the year.
Al Mansoori added: “To achieve an increase in average spend per head amid refurbishment works and new store installations is always challenging. However, we continue to align our range of products more closely to the passenger demographic. This has played a big part in driving sales beyond the Dh1 billion mark.”
The growth was across all categories with the following performing strongly: Perfume and cosmetics + 9.7 per cent, Rolex + 36.6 per cent, watches + 15.5 per cent, cigars + 13.2 per cent, food and confectionery +8.4 per cent.
In 2014, Abu Dhabi Duty free sold over 40,000 litres of fragrance, 200 tonnes of powdered milk and 188 tonnes of chocolate, including 25 million single M&M candy sweets.
In parallel, Abu Dhabi Airports has rolled out a variety of new food and beverage concepts, including a Montreux Jazz Cafe in addition to the world’s first airport cafe from CNN.
Many of the world’s leading brands and retailers are expected to submit bids for the Midfield Terminal Building, which is making rapid progress and will have an annual capacity of 30 million when it opens in 2017.
Abu Dhabi Duty Free’s vision is to create the world’s best commercial offer at an airport within the Midfield Terminal and provide customers with a sensational experience and innovative offers, supported by high levels of service and traditional Emirati hospitality.
Al Mansoori concluded: “Abu Dhabi Duty Free will continue to focus on improving our customer experience with phase 2 of our retail and food and beverage refurbishment programme that will enable us to offer the widest choice to our passengers, exclusive offers and product launches, innovative promotional campaigns, great value and excellent customer service, which will all contribute to the further growth of Abu Dhabi.”
-— business@khaleejtimes.com
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