Dubai Duty Free sales surge by double digits in 2010

The Dubai Duty Free team celebrates the company’s 27th anniversary on 20 December


UAE. Dubai Duty Free, the world’s biggest airport retailer at a single location, has revealed sales of AED4.66 billion (US$1.27 billion) for 2010 – a new annual record, and a leap of +14% over 2009.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, said: “2010 has been an excellent year for Dubai Duty Free, which has retained its position as the largest single-airport retailer in the world. The sales over the past 12 months are a positive indicator for the retail sector as a whole, and I congratulate Dubai Duty Free’s management and staff on their success.”

Our sales have been consistently buoyant throughout the year and we are pleased to see that our penetration level continues to be high
Colm McLoughlin
Managing Director
Dubai Duty Free

December saw a new monthly sales record with turnover reaching AED497 million (US$136 million), which is +13% higher than the monthly record set in December 2009. On 20 December, when Dubai Duty Free celebrated its 27th anniversary, sales reached an impressive AED66.7 million (US$18.5 million).

Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin said: “We are thrilled to have posted such a positive year in 2010. Our sales have been consistently buoyant throughout the year and we are pleased to see that our penetration level continues to be high and that we sell to around 45% of all passengers, while the average spend per departing customer is around US$46.

“My thanks as always for the support and encouragement of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free and I join His Highness in thanking our staff, our suppliers and our customers for ensuring such a great year.”

The company saw 20.5 million sales transactions last year, an increase of +11% over 2009.

Once again the No.1 selling category for 2010 was Perfumes which notched up sales of AED658 million (US$180.3 million), a +16% increase over 2009. Liquor and Gold retained the No.2 and No.3 positions with increases of +13% and +11% respectively. Other big category increases were seen in Watches, which rose by +26%, and Cosmetics, which were up by +23%. Sales of Cameras rose by +19%.

Increases were seen across all Dubai Duty Free’s retail areas, with Terminal 3 sales increasing by +20% overall, including an +11% increase in Arrivals sales. T2 sales rose by +24%, and a revamp of the retail operation in T2 is planned for 2011.

Looking ahead to further development plans for Dubai Duty Free, 2011 will see the opening of the retail operation in Al Maktoum International Airport’s Passenger Terminal while plans continue for the opening of the retail operation in Concourse 3 at Dubai International Airport, which is scheduled to open in 2012.

Gold, always popular at Dubai Duty Free, generated +11% growth in sales in 2010


Fragrances, the retailer’s biggest category, posted a +16% revenue gain in the year


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