Positive start to the New Year for Dubai Duty Free

While sales were buoyant across the board, certain categories demonstrated spectacular increases over the same period last year. Gold sales topped Dhs13 million (US$3.6 million) representing a 24% increase over sales in January 2002. Electronics sales for the month topped Dhs12.4 million (US$3.5 million), representing a massive 50% increase over sales in January 2002, while Perfume sales of Dhs11.5 million resulted in a 34% increase over the same period last year.

Commenting on the positive start to the year, Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said: "Achieving a new monthly record in sales for the first month of the year is extremely positive. We closed last year with record sales of Dhs1.1 billion (US$306 million) and were confident that sales would be steady in the opening weeks.

"I would like to congratulate the entire Dubai Duty Free team for starting the new year on such a high note."

The Middle East represents around 4% of annual global duty free sales which are estimated at US$20 billion for 2002. As a result of record sales of Dhs1.1 billion (US$306 million) last year, Dubai Duty Free accounts for some 40% of total Middle East duty free sales and is now positioned fifth in the world in terms of airport duty free sales.


Ends-