Dubai: Dubai Duty Free group has announced a turnover of Dh7.057 billion for the past year. The figure includes Dubai Duty Free sales, which reached Dh6.892 billion ($1.888 billion) for the year.
Dubai Duty Free, which operates at both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International recorded its highest sales for the year in December 2015, when figures reached Dhs721.87 million ($197.77 million). The reason for the boosted sales was the 32nd anniversary of the group, which rewarded consumers with discounts and the holiday season in tow.
Within 72 hours, from December 18 to December 20, the cash registers recorded a total of 402,000 sales transactions with nearly 207,000 sales transactions alone on December 20 and recorded sales figures of Dh100.20 million ($27.22 million) on the anniversary day on December 20.
The total number of transactions in the past year came to 26,848,832 transactions, with daily transactions averaging 73,558. Categorically, perfumes were the top sellers with sales of Dh1.137 billion making up 16.5 per cent of total sales. Confectionery came in 4th place with sales amounting to Dh556.14 million followed by gold with sales worth Dh549.32 million.
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman, said, “Overall, it has been a very good year and I would like to thank HH Shaikh Ahmad 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.”
In terms of progress, arrivals saw an increase of 6 per cent and accounted for 11 per cent of the total annual sales. Terminal 2 also saw an increase with 18 per cent growth in sales over last year to reach Dh639.52 million. When asked about the coming year, McLoughlin added, “There is a lot to look forward to in 2016, including the opening of Concourse D at Dubai International, which is a fantastic facility that will be very well received. We have a 7,000 sq metres retail operation in Concourse D and will be introducing some new brands and concepts there.”
The group has won over 500 awards including the prestigious Frontier Award for Best Marketing Campaign of the Year by a retailer and the US Global Traveller Award for Best Duty Free Shop. In 2015, the group has been awarded 27 awards, and is looking forward to maintaining events and promotional calendar.
