24 October 2015
Confectionery Sales a Key Pillar of US$2 billion Sales Forecast for 2015

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - A delegation of officials from Dubai Duty Free (DDF), the world's leading airport retailer, will attend this month's Sweets & Snacks Middle East - running October 27-29 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) - on a mission to source new ranges of confectionery products direct from international suppliers.

In 2014, confectionery sales contributed 8.52% to global DDF sales while the first nine months of this year have seen confectionery sales grow by 4.48% compared to the same period last year. With DDF sales expected to surpass the US$2 billion mark for the first time in 2015, DDF has identified confectionery sales as a key contributor in its latest record turnover target.

"Confectionery sales continue to grow year-on-year and remain a core growth area of the business," said Saba Tahir, Vice President -Purchasing, Vendor Support & Research, DDF.

With this year's Sweets & Snacks Middle East - which runs alongside The Speciality Food Festival and SEAFEX - standing 25 per cent larger than the 2014 edition, DDF join key buyers from Emirates Flight Catering, Jumeirah Group, Spinney's and Saudi Arabia's Manuel Supermarket in leveraging the dedicated trade platform to access thousands of confectionery products showcased by more than 300 specialised exhibitors.

"Chocolates are fast-selling items in DDF and we are eager to explore innovative and unique concepts in confectionery and sweet products to enhance the customer experience and bring incremental sales to the category. At present, DDF uses different suppliers who carry various products - we are sourcing them both locally and internationally. Sweets & Snacks Middle East provides a homegrown platform to source directly from local & international suppliers."

Although international passengers constitute the vast majority of some 79 million passengers at Dubai International Airport purchasing confectioneries at DDF this year, domestic consumption habits and spending power on sweets, snacks and luxury goods in the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to provide leading global chocolate and confectionery producers with vast regional investment opportunities.

According to recent Euromonitor data, the UAE and Saudi Arabia registered per capita spends of US$38 and US$31, respectively, in 2014 - significantly higher than the US$4 spend per capita average across the Middle East and Africa.

"Our trio of niche food shows welcomed over 13,000 dedicated buyers in 2014 and we are targeting more than 15,000 buyers - a 15 per cent increase - this year," said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management. "Local, regional and international buyers understand the opportunities these shows provide in delivering a tailored sourcing platform for all their procurement needs."

Open 10am-6pm from 27- 28 October and from 10am-5pm on 29 October 2015, The Speciality Food Festival runs alongside Sweets and Snacks Middle East - which is co-organised with Koelnmesse GmbH - and SEAFEX. All three shows are for trade and business professionals only. General public and persons under the age of 21 will not be permitted entry. Registration is available at the show upon proof of trade status.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:
DWTC's annual trio of niche food shows - The Speciality Food Festival, Sweets & Snacks Middle East and SEAFEX - cater to three distinct B2B trade platforms. This year's shows run from 27 - 29 October 2015.

·         The Speciality Food Festival caters for producers, suppliers, importers & exporters of gourmet, halal and organic products eager to showcase lines to a target audience of buyers, gourmet chefs, distributors, delicatessens and retail outlets. www.speciality.ae

·         Sweets & Snacks Middle East is a dedicated platform for the international sweets, confectionery and snack industries across the MENA region, presented by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Koelnmesse GmbH. www.sweetsmiddleeast.com

·         SEAFEX Middle East is the region's biggest trade fair and sourcing platform for the international seafood industry. www.seafexme.com

About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
DWTC brings more than 35 years' experience delivering world-class events in the Middle East and provides local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge. Our team organises more than 20 of the largest and most successful international and regional shows in Middle East, providing an ideal platform for business development in the region. Our commitment to on-going innovation within the exhibition industry has supported the rapid growth and development of a wide range of business-to-business and business-to-consumer shows, and delivered consistent satisfaction to exhibitors and visitors. DWTC works with the leading trade bodies and industry associations to ensure that all exhibitions deliver full value and are built upon the real needs of their specific sector. www.dwtc.com

For more information, please contact:             
Rose Manaog
MCS/Action
T: +971 4 3693496
M: rose.m@actionprgroup.com

© Press Release 2015