UAE. Dubai Duty Free has announced record annual sales of US$2.029 billion for 2019, eclipsing last year’s high of US$2.015 billion.
As reported, the world’s leading travel retailer at a single airport passed the US$2 billion mark on 26 December. The year-end figures were also buoyed by a strong performance during the company’s 36th anniversary celebrations from 18 to 20 December, when it generated US$57.39 million in sales, aided by a -25% discount across many products. On the anniversary day itself (20 December), Dubai Duty Free recorded US$30.59 million in sales from 190,208 transactions.
Reflecting on the year, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “Overall, it has been a fantastic year for the operation and I would like to thank H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free for his ongoing support. I also join His Highness in thanking our great team of staff, our suppliers and of course our customers, for their contribution to our growth and success.”
In 2019, the business recorded over 24.284 million sales transactions at an average of 66,500 per day, while a total of over 64.578 million units of merchandise were sold.
The top five selling categories for the year were fragrances, liquor, cosmetics, tobacco and electronics. Sales of fragrances, which rose by +2% over 2018, reached US$307.85 million and accounted for 15% of total sales. Liquor followed close behind, with US$304.24 million and a contribution of around 15% of sales also.
Cosmetics, the third best-selling category, posted US$232.53 million in sales and contributed 11% towards revenue, with an increase of +11% over 2018.
Tobacco sales hit US$223.88 million and accounted for 11% of total revenue, followed by electronics with sales of US$152.89 million.
Sales in departures reached US$1.808 billion and represented 89% of the total, while arrivals (US$181.98 million) represented 9%.
McLoughlin added: “We have continued to develop our retail offer in all the terminals and that included the opening of a Chanel boutique, a Maison Christian Dior shop and a Gucci boutique. We are also looking forward to the opening of the new 1,100sq m retail space in Terminal 3 arrivals this month. The new arrivals shop is much more visible to passengers in the baggage area and has a fantastic liquor retail offer.
“In addition, we will continue the second phase of the refurbishment of the two FoodPlus shops in Concourse B and Dubai Duty Free will continue to enhance its retail offer within the fashion category in the second half of the year.
“We continue to develop our DDF Leisure business – the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel continues to do well and The Irish Village in Garhoud celebrated its 23rd birthday in October last year. We opened the third Irish Village in Dubai Studio One Hotel and we will be opening a fourth Irish Village at the EXPO grounds this October,” he added.
Dubai Duty Free will maintain its busy events and promotional calendar in 2020. This includes the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships to be held from 17-29 February at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
*Colm McLoughlin was named one of The Moodie Davitt Report People of the Year for 2019. Click here for our selection and below for our special year in review eZine.
