UAE. First quarter sales for Dubai Duty Free topped AED426 million (US$118 million), representing a strong +45% increase over the same period last year.
The year-to-date figures place the award-winning operation on track for annual sales of AED1.45 billion (US$420 million).
Individual categories showing remarkable increases include sunglasses which increased sales by +99%, due largely to the 2003 opening of the new Sunglass Shop in Sheikh Rashid Terminal.
Cameras and accessories also saw first quarter sales jump by +97% as a result of increased consumer demand, while perfumes and cosmetics rose by +52% and +83% respectively.
Dubai Duty Free managing director Colm McLoughlin commented: “We closed last year with record sales of AED1.37 billion (US$380 million) and are delighted to see this upward sales trend continue. The operation is continuing to review and enhance the retail area and some months ago opened the new Gold Shop, which is now showing a +43% increase in sales this quarter.”
The operation also recently opened a new Watch Shop and is planning to complete a new “Gifts from Dubai’ area in the central zone.
Dubai Duty Free celebrated 20 years in operation last December. The recipient of over 80 international awards, Dubai Duty Free employs over 1,200 staff and 64 of the original 100 employees remain in service.
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