‘Celebrating 40 Years of Retailing Service’ – On Location for Dubai Duty Free’s grand anniversary : Moodie Davitt Report

Click to open this special Moodie Davitt publication to mark the 40th anniversary of Dubai Duty Free

UAE. Dubai Duty Free is marking its 40^th anniversary on 20 December with a series of celebrations, discounts and prizes for travellers and staff.

The leading travel retailer is also commemorating the anniversary with a dazzling makeover of The Moodie Davitt Report homepage.

In what has become one of the retailer’s biggest annual promotions, Dubai Duty Free is offering a special -25% discount on a wide range of products over three days to mark this grand occasion.

The offer is available for all departing, transiting and arriving passengers through to midnight on 20 December.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie is in Dubai to report on the anniversary, with rolling coverage below from the build-up and through the big day itself.

21 DECEMBER

Dubai Duty Free announced today that sales reached a staggering AED54.2 million (US$14.8 million) on its 40th anniversary, a leap of +53% compared to the same day a year ago. Perfumes and watches were the two best-selling categories.

The strong surge in trading was supported by a special -25% discount on a wide range of merchandise over the 24 hours.

The Dubai Duty Free executive team cutting a ceremonial cake on 20 December with Director General, Department of Airports Security H.E. Major General Ali Atiq Bin Lahej in Concourse B. Below, staff and management celebrate in Concourse C.

Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “We are very pleased with the positive result of our 40th anniversary sales across all Concourses within 24 hours. There was huge excitement among our customers and staff on the day and I would like to thank everyone for contributing towards our milestone anniversary celebrations.”

Click here for further details of another momentous day in the illustrious history of Dubai Duty Free.

20 DECEMBER

What a way to close out such a memorable day in Dubai Duty Free’s history as the retailer’s ‘Dream Team’ – its Executive Board – and partners gather at the Dubai Duty Free-run Jumeirah Creekside Hotel for a celebratory dinner. The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie was honoured to be asked to join this gathering of outstanding business leaders.

Martin Moodie catches up with a suitably clad Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin just after today’s on-site celebrations concluded. Listen to our podcast interview below.

The Dubai Duty Free Nightingales belt out some jazzed-up Christmas carols

The milestone anniversary also saw a series of celebrations in various locations over the past few days. The Dubai Duty Free executive team, led by Colm McLoughlin, marked the occasion in Terminal 2, Al Maktoum International Airport as well as its Head Office in Ramoul, Terminal 3 Concourse A, Hatta Border Shop (where, as pictured, the executive team lunched after a store visit) and Terminal 1 Concourse D in Dubai International Airport.

Prize draws were the order of the day with a host of travellers and Dubai Duty Free staff very happy as a result

Cutting-edge leadership: Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin (fourth from left): “The anniversary celebrations are a good way of saying thank you to our customers, our employees and our partners. I join our Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in marking this special occasion and wish everyone a great end of year celebrations. 2023 has been a great year and this is a great ending for us.”

Who could have imagined this 40 years ago on a day one of trading?

Colm McLoughlin, Salah Tahlak (left) and Sinead el Sibai lead a Dubai Duty Free management entourage through Terminal 3 en route to another cake cutting

Colm McLoughlin addresses the staff and management before the latest celebratory cake-cutting

The first of many super-sized cakes to be cut today

The Dubai Duty Free team led by Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin celebrate the occasion with a magnificent cake

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie joins in the fun at T3, Concourse A

What a majestic sight greets passengers as they descend the escalator into a continuation of the Concourse C shopping experience

All that glitters: The heart of Concourse C

Further images from Terminal 3, Concourse B and Control Tower zones

Final rehearsals for the Dubai Duty Free Nightingales

These three Dubai Duty Free superstars have a collective 47 years of service between them: Samson 23 years, Kamal 17 and Mejo 7

Martin Moodie joins travel retail’s singing superstars, The Dubai Duty Free Nightingales, for a photo shoot just before their performance later this morning. Fortunately for passengers he will not join in the singing.

Terminal 3 Concourse B is buzzing with activity. Note the great digital signage.

The big day has arrived and celebrations have kicked off early at The Irish Village where local broadcasters Jono and Nats are hosting a breakfast show. Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin (below) has made a surprise guest appearance.

To mark the anniversary day the Dubai Duty Free team kicked off the celebration at The Irish Village in Garhoud with the announcement of the winner of The Dubai Duty Free Shopping List radio promotion with Dubai 92 to win a AED40,000 (US$10,900) Dubai Duty Free Gift Card.

Sophia Rasundra (third from left above), an Indian national based in Dubai, was the ultimate winner, announced by the Dubai 92 FM Breakfast team of Jono (right) and Nats (left) during a live show at The Irish Village. Pictured with them are Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin and SVP – Marketing Sinead El Sibai.

The promotion ran over the past two weeks and 11 shortlisted participants were invited to The Irish Village, along with their families for a special breakfast this morning. The then runners-up did not walk away empty handed, however, as they received consolation prizes of a Dubai Duty Free Gift Card for AED400 each (US$109) to spend next time they travel.

19 DECEMBER

It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas: Martin Moodie catches up with the man who started it all, Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin, and his wife Breeda on the eve of the 40th anniversary celebrations

The giant red signage outside the Dubai Duty Free-run Jumeirah Creekside Hotel tells passing motorists of the landmark. An Executive Management Anniversary Dinner will be held here tomorrow evening and The Moodie Davitt Report is honoured to have been asked to attend.

{Rumours are growing that Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin and The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie will perform a daring double parachute stunt into DXB tomorrow to jump-start celebrations. Above we show a trial that took place earlier this month.}