UAE. Dubai Duty Free passed US$2 billion (AED7.3 billion) in sales for 2019 on 26 December as it closes in on another record year. In 2018, the world’s leading travel retailer at a single airport reached US$2.015 billion in sales, representing a +4.31% increase compared to 2017.
Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “2019 has been a good year for Dubai Duty Free. We have invested in a number of major refurbishments across the retail operation, and it is fantastic to have achieved the US$2 billion figure well before the end of the year.”
The milestone figure was reached in Concourse D when Mr. and Mrs Neeraj Sati, Indian nationals based in India, purchased items from the liquor & tobacco store worth AED348 (US$95).
The Sati family were travelling back to Mumbai after they had celebrated Christmas in Dubai with their relatives. They stayed in the city for eight days and will celebrate the New Year in their home town of Odiza, India.
To celebrate the milestone, Mr Sati and his daughter were presented with Dubai Duty Free gift cards worth US$2,000 by Operations Manager Shafique Ansari together with Duty Managers Sanjay Lama, Melanie Tacuban, Hazel Punongbayan, Norie Ann Jose and Duty Officer Edwin Papa.
Mr. Sati said: “Thank you Dubai Duty Free, this is such a pleasant surprise. I will spend this well and buy some gifts for my family back home.”
As reported, Dubai Duty Free marked its 36th anniversary on 20 December in style by generating US$57.39 million in sales over a three-day sales promotion.
