Dubai Duty Free has announced record annual sales of US$1.917 billion (€1.6bn) for 2014, representing a 7.36% increase year-on-year. December 2014 saw a new monthly sales record of US$205.24 million (€175m) – a 7% rise on last year’s sales of US$192 million (€163m).
Dubai Duty Free has announced record annual sales of US$1.917 billion for 2014, representing a 7.36% increase year-on-year. Gold was the third best-selling category, with sales of US$163.6 million.
December figures are fuelled by Dubai Duty Free’s 31st anniversary celebrations when the operation offered a 25% discount across a wide range of merchandise from 18-20 December, resulting in a shopping spree by passengers of US$51.74 million during the 72-hour period.
“We are thrilled to announce such a positive year during which the operation went from strength to strength,” Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman, Dubai Duty Free, explained. “I 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 and I join His Highness in thanking our great team of staff, our suppliers and of course our customers, who are fundamental to our continued growth.”
The operation recorded a staggering 26,995,367 sales transactions in 2014, which is an average of 73,960 sales transactions per day across both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International, Dubai World Central.
With sales of US$314 million, Perfume – which now contributes 17% of Dubai Duty Free’s total sales – retained its position as the best-selling category. Liquor and Gold followed, with sales of US$286 million and US$163.6 million respectively. Tobacco sales totalled US$160 million, and Confectionery US$147.7 million.
Sales in Dubai Duty Free Departures, which account for 88% of total sales, increased by 6%, while Arrivals sales saw a 9% increase over the previous year. Terminal 2 – the renovation of which was completed in 2014 – recorded a 10% increase in sales, while Terminal 3, which currently accounts for 63% of total sales, increased by 7% over last year.
Looking ahead, Dubai Duty Free will continue to enhance its retail operation with the ongoing refurbishment of Concourse C and the opening of a 7,000sqm retail space in Concourse D.
Hear more from Dubai Duty Free at the 24th ACI EUROPE Airport Commercial & Retail Conference & Exhibition, taking place in Milan, 21-23 April 2015. Sean Staunton, Vice President Operations, Dubai Duty Free, is participating in a session entitled ‘More than half of passengers still don’t buy. How do you make non-spenders spend?’
