Dubai: Abu Dhabi Airport Duty Free posted Dh1 billion in sales in 2014, marking a 10.5 per cent increase over the previous year, according to a statement from Abu Dhabi Airports yesterday.
“This significant milestone confirms we are providing passengers with the diverse services and offerings they expect at a major international airport and reflects the incredible growth in passengers which is largely driven by the success of the national airline, Etihad Airways,” said Ali Majid Al Mansouri, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports in a statement.
The biggest selling product category last year was beauty and fragrance, with a 31 per cent share of Duty Free’s turnover and a sales increase of 9.7 per cent over 2013. Meanwhile, sales of Rolex rose by 36.6 per cent; watches by 15.5 per cent; cigars by 13.2 per cent and food and confectionary by 8.4 per cent.
Indian, Chinese and Emirati passengers accounted for 36 per cent of sales at the airport. Passenger spending also increased last year, according to Abu Dhabi Airports.
“To achieve an increase in average spend per head amid refurbishment works and new store installations is always challenging, however we continue to align our range of products more closely to the passenger demographic,” Al Mansouri said.
A number of stores opened at the airport last year, including two new duty free stores; a fragrance boutique in Terminal 3; refurbished core duty free stores on the Terminal 1 upper level; a new wellness spa and minimart outlet; Montreux Jazz Café; and the world’s first airport cafe from CNN.
Global retailers are expected to submit bids for the midfield terminal building, which will have an annual capacity of 30 million when it opens in 2017, according to Abu Dhabi Airports.
