Dubai Duty Free posts record April sales, led by perfumes, gold and viral chocolate

Dubai: Dubai Duty Free recorded Dh713 million ($195.4 million) in sales this April, the highest ever for the month and the fourth-best monthly result in the airport retailer’s 40-year history. The figure reflects an 18% increase over April 2024, bolstered by travel peaks during Eid, Easter, and the Arabian Travel Market.

Despite the surge in passengers, Dubai Duty Free said sales growth outpaced traffic, suggesting that travellers spent more per visit. The April performance follows record-breaking months in late 2024 and early 2025.

Perfumes remained the top-selling category, generating Dh128.7 million ($35.3 million), or 18% of total revenue — up 16% year-on-year. Other strong performers included liquor (Dh92.5 million), tobacco (Dh74 million, +25%), and gold (Dh71.6 million, +35%). Confectionery sales jumped 84% to Dh69.5 million, buoyed by continued demand for the now-viral “Dubai chocolate,” which sold Dh28.6 million in April alone — roughly Dh1 million per day.

Departures accounted for 90% of total April sales, while Arrivals contributed 7%. Online sales also saw a modest 3% gain.

Fashion boutiques in Terminal 3 reversed their recent slump with a 12% increase in sales. Preloved luxury items, sold through the Reklaim store, brought in Dh3.5 million in April, out of a total Dh9 million since the category launched in December.

The Millennium Millionaire draw also remained popular, with Series 500 tickets selling out in just 7 days and total sales for the promotion reaching Dh21 million ($5.26 million).

India remained Dubai Duty Free’s biggest source market in April, contributing Dh72.1 million in sales, followed by Russia, Saudi Arabia, China, and the UK.