Tuesday, Oct 07, 2008

Gulf News

Dubai: Dubai Duty FreeDubai Duty Free reported sales of Dh2.8 billion ($780 million), a 27 per cent increase in the first nine months of the year over the same period last year.

Perfumes remained the top category as sales rose to Dh401 million ($110 million), while gold sales rose by 35 per cent to Dh330 million.

Other notable increases occurred in electronics, (19 per cent to Dh237 million) and confectionery (36 per cent to Dh208 million).

"We have had a fantastic year so far and are looking ahead to the last few months as we prepare to open the new operation in Emirates Terminal 3," said Colm McLoughlin, managing director of Dubai Duty FreeDubai Duty Free.

Retail space

"Dubai Duty FreeDubai Duty Free has over 8,000 square metres of retail space coming on line in the coming weeks and we are very excited about the retail opportunities that the new terminal provides."

Dubai Duty FreeDubai Duty Free, which opened on December 20, 1983, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and there are plans to make this a memorable occasion, he said.

For starters, the anniversary day will be marked with a 25 per cent discount on a wide range of merchandise, for what has become an annual celebration for all passengers passing through the airport.

"We started this promotion when we celebrated our 20th anniversary in 2003 and offered shoppers a 20 per cent discount for that day," says McLoughlin,

"Sales soared to a record high on that day and proved to be so successful that we have continued to mark our anniversary day this way ever since. We believe people travel specifically on this day in order to avail of the discount.

"This year, with a discount of 25 per cent of a wide range of goods, we think that all previous sales records on that day will be broken."

Staff increase

Dubai Duty FreeDubai Duty Free will have retail areas in both departure and arrivals areas of Terminal 3.

Over 5,000 square metres has been allocated on the departure level and around 2,000 square metres is allocated to two separate shops in the arrival area.

McLoughlin said Dubai Duty FreeDubai Duty Free has increased its staff to 3,000 and it will rise by the end of the year to 3,500.

In line with Dubai Duty FreeDubai Duty Free's expansion plans, the operation has opened a distribution centre in Ramoul and has moved into its new head office located close by.

Dubai Duty FreeDubai Duty Free also has plans to open at Dubai World Central, the first phase of which is expected to go on stream in 2009.

© Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.

 

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