UAE. Dubai Duty Free today (18 May) announced that Senior Vice President – Retail Michael Schmidt will retire from the company effective 31 May, concluding an outstanding 26-year career with the organisation.
Schmidt is responsible for retail development, merchandising and display across all Dubai Duty Free stores and has played a central role in shaping the company’s retail operations and customer experience for over two decades.
Dubai Duty Free Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi paid warm tribute to the departing executive, stating: “Michael has made an extraordinary contribution to Dubai Duty Free as reflected in our retail success over the last two-and-a-half decades.
“He successfully led the opening of major retail areas in both airports, oversaw an award-winning 24-hour retail operation whose revenues established us as the largest airport retailer in a single location. And he navigated the COVID-19 crisis through to a full recovery, culminating in a record year in 2025.
“Throughout his time with the company, Michael has been a model of steadfastness, dependability and integrity, combined with hard work and dedication. On behalf of the entire Dubai Duty Free team, I would like to thank him and wish him and his family every happiness in the future.”
Schmidt said: “It has been 26 years since I first joined Dubai Duty Free and 30 years living in Dubai. At that time, under the leadership of Colm McLoughlin, the operation was going through enormous growth and expansion, and I was happy to be part of that.
“During my time, Dubai Duty Free has become more than my place of work, it has been a community, a family and a place of growth. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, the trust placed in me and the many lasting relationships I have built here.
“Under the leadership of our Managing Director Mr Ramesh Cidambi and together with all my colleagues we have faced challenges, celebrated successes, and built something that I will always be proud of.”
Schmidt joined Dubai Duty Free in September 2000 and has held several key leadership positions within the Retail division, including Duty Manager, Manager – Merchandise, Manager – Retail Sales, Vice President – Retail Sales & Merchandising, and most recently Senior Vice President – Retail.
For the past decade, he has successfully led the Retail division, overseeing one of the world’s largest travel retail operations and guiding a team of approximately 4,800 retail employees.
He played a pivotal role in the expansion and development of Dubai Duty Free’s retail footprint across its dual airport locations, including the opening of Terminal 3 and Concourse B in 2008, Concourse A in 2012, Al Maktoum International Airport in 2013 and Concourse D in 2016.
In addition, he played a key role in numerous luxury boutique openings and major refurbishment projects across Terminal 2 and Arrival stores.
Prior to joining Dubai Duty Free, Schmidt worked with THE One for three years in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where he was part of the team responsible for establishing the company’s UAE retail outlet.
Dubai Duty Free said he had earned widespread respect across the organisation and the global travel retail industry for his steadfast leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to excellence. ✈
