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Dubai Duty Free’s 41st anniversary daily sales surge +11% to US$16.4 million

by Martin Moodie | | martin@moodiedavittreport.com
Dubai Duty Free senior management, led by Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi (centre) and (to his immediate right) Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak, join with the shop floor team to celebrate the anniversary occasion

UAE. Dubai Duty Free (DDF) generated sales of AED59.99 million (US$16.4 million) on the travel retailer’s 41st anniversary, 20 December, up by +11% year-on-year for the landmark day.

As reported, sales were accentuated by DDF’s now traditional -25% discount on a wide range of merchandise over the 24-hour shopping period.

The discount aided a spending spree at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports.

Among the major categories, perfumes (the number one category on the day with 25.49% of sales) posted a +23.4% year-on-year increase on 20 December while cosmetics sales soared by +46.6%.

Precious jewellery (+66.8% year-on-year) and confectionery (+56.4%) were the stars of the show in terms of annualised percentage growth, while tobacco products rose +22.8%.

Such increases were offset by sharp declines in the key Millennium Millionaire and Watches & Clocks categories.

Cutting-edge management: Dubai Duty Free leadership pictured slicing the tradional anniversary cake. From left are Senior Vice President – Loss Prevention and Corporate Security Zayed Al Shebli, Deputy Managing Director Salah Tahlak, Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi and Senior Vice President – Marketing Sinead El Sibai.

Perfumes recorded sales of AED15.3 million (US$4.2 million), followed by wines & spirits (AED6.5 million/US$1.8 million) and cosmetics AED6.2 million/US$1.7 million).

Ticket sales for the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire prize draw reached AED5.5 million (US$1.5 million) while watches took fifth spot with AED5.4 million (US$1.5 million).

Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi said: “The team at Dubai Duty Free achieved sales of nearly AED60 million in a 24-hour period through 94,000 transactions at the point-of-sale terminals in both airports.

“It is a remarkable achievement as they coped with the increased demand due to the anniversary discount on one of the busiest travel days of the year. It was also a very festive occasion with the employees enthusiastically celebrating our 41st anniversary in all the concourses and terminals.”

Ramesh Cidambi and Salah Tahlak greet a happy shop floor team, followed by (left) Senior Vice President – Retail Michael Schmidt and Senior Vice President – Loss Preventionand Corporate Security Zayed Al Shebli

Shop floor sales were supported by 800 pallets of merchandise issued from the Dubai Duty Free Distribution Centre carrying 265,799 units.

Dubai Duty Free noted that its anniversary promotion is now a highly anticipated event with many travellers choosing to travel on 20 December when the -25% discount is offered.

The anniversary concept was introduced when the airport retailer marked its 20th anniversary in 2003. ✈

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