Sales soar by 27% as Dubai Duty Free head into last quarter of 2008

Perfumes retained the No. 1 category as sales rose to Dhs401m ($110m), while sales of gold rose by 35% to reach Dhs330m ($92m) in the nine month period. Other notable increases were seen in electronics, which rose by 19% to Dhs237m ($66m) and confectionery, which rose by 36% with sales of Dhs208m ($58m).

Commenting on the impressive sales figures for the first nine months of the year, Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director said: "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. Dubai 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 Free, which first opened for business on the 20th December 1983, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and the operation has plans in place to make this a memorable occasion. For starters, the anniversary day on December 20th will be marked with a 25% discount on a wide range of merchandise, for what has become an annual celebration for all passengers traveling through the airport.

"We started this promotion when we celebrated our 20th anniversary in 2003 and offered shoppers a 20% 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 in 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% of a wide range of goods, we think that all previous sales records on that day will be broken."

The opening of Emirates Terminal 3 will provide Dubai Duty Free with retail areas in both Departure and Arrivals. Over 5,000 square metres is allocated in the Departure level with around 2,000 square metres allocated to two separate shops in the Arrivals. In recent months, the operation has increased its staffing levels to a current 3,000 and this will rise further by the end of the year to 3,500.

In line with Dubai Duty Free's expansion plans, the operation has recently opened a dedicated Distribution Centre in Ramoul and has moved into its purpose-built head office located next door.

Plans are also underway for the Dubai Duty Free operation at Dubai World Central, Al Maktoum International, the first phase of which is expected to open in 2009.