DDF Q1 sales up 10%

Dubai Duty Free announced first quarter sales of Dh1.75 billion ($479.5 million), representing a 10 per cent increase over the same period last year and signalling a positive year ahead for the airport retailer.

Sales across all three Terminals showed an upward trend, including an impressive 23 per cent increase in Terminal 2 and an 11 per cent increase in sales in Terminal 3.

Perfume, liquor and gold held on to the top three spots category-wise in the first quarter of the year. Perfume sales reached Dh286.4 million ($78.5 million), representing a 16 per cent increase in sales over the first quarter in 2013.

Other categories showing robust growth include cosmetics, up by 30 per cent to reach Dh141.3 million ($38.7 million), handbags and small leather rose by 62 per cent to Dh25 million ($6.9 million), while gifts from Dubai rose by 9 per cent to Dh33 million ($9 million), giving a good indication in the increase in tourists visiting Dubai in the first quarter.

Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, said: “We have had a very good start to the year and are very much on track for our sales forecast of Dh7 billion ($1.92 billion). Terminal 3 continues to be the biggest in terms of accumulative sales and accounts for 62 per cent of our total turnover.  

“The expansion and upgrade of Terminal 2 late last year has provided us with an opportunity to extend our product range and boost sales in T2, which accounts for 8.3 per cent of our total revenue and is growing. The last phase of that development will be opening of a new Arrivals shop in T2 which will help grow sales further.”

Looking ahead, Dubai Duty Free will continue to enhance its retail operation in 2014 while continuing to plan for the opening of Concourse D next year. In the meantime the operation is continuing with its busy events and promotional calendar, which includes the Dubai Duty Free Stakes taking place at the Newbury Racecourse in the UK on April 11 and 12.

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