UAE. Abu Dhabi Duty Free (ADDF) today announced a retailing first for the Middle East as Abu Dhabi International Airport prepares to launch the region’s only 48-hour Arrivals shop concept.
The 150sq m shop, to be situated in the area near the main car park, is due for completion within 90 days. It will become the only landside duty free shop in the Middle East to permit travellers to take advantage of their duty free allowance for up to two whole days after arriving in Abu Dhabi.
“We are proud to be the first in the region to be offering this service and convenience to passengers through Abu Dhabi International Airport,” said Abu Dhabi Airports Company Commercial Director Mohamed Mounib.
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An artist’s impression of the new 48-hour Arrivals shop outside Abu Dhabi International Airport |
“One of the clear advantages of the shop is that, if a passenger does not take advantage of their duty free allowance when initially coming through the airport, they will be able to do so for up to two days after arrival,” added Mounib.
Software will track all passenger allowances and confirm each traveller’s eligibility for duty free goods. This system will also apply if any passenger only claims half of their duty free allowance on arrival – enabling them to make multiple returns (if desired) to claim the remainder of their allowance within a 48-hour time period.
ADDF was keen to clarify that total allowance rules will still apply, so passengers cannot ‘double’ their duty free purchases through this system by buying their permitted amounts (e.g. in liquor and tobacco) and then returning two days later to repeat those purchases. The system is similar to that of the Philippines which offers 48-hour arrivals shopping for national citizens.
The retailer’s ambitious plans to broaden the concept of the new landside duty free shop are not stopping there – ADDF also announced it is looking to create another 48-hour Arrivals shop in the downtown area of Abu Dhabi City sometime in 2008.
ABOUT ABU DHABI DUTY FREE
Abu Dhabi Duty Free claims to be the Middle East’s number-one retailer by average customer spend and second largest by turnover.
Established in 1984 with five shops, ADDF has grown into a multi-award winning travel retail organization. From the beginning of 2008, additional retail space will be added at Abu Dhabi International Airport with the new Terminal Three development – a dedicated terminal for Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the UAE. With the growing number of flights and routes coming through Abu Dhabi’s airports in the short to medium term, ADDF is set to become one of the fastest-growing travel retail environments over the next decade.
ADDF’s services extend across the Emirate with operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Al Ain International Airport, and the Ghweifat land-border outlet between the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
MORE STORIES ON ABU DHABI DUTY FREE
Abu Dhabi Duty Free offers travellers the chance to make their dreams come true – 01/07/07
Abu Dhabi Duty Free to issue specialist RFPs to retail operators in Terminals One & Three – 13/05/07
Abu Dhabi Duty Free launches Domo, a new lifestyle concept for men and women – 09/05/07
Passenger traffic at Abu Dhabi International Airport surges by +25% in Q1 2007 – 03/05/07
Buoyant Abu Dhabi Duty Free posts +28% sales growth in first quarter – 23/04/07
