Hat trick win for Dubai Duty Free in Cannes

The award was presented by Raven Fox, publishers of top trade magazines, at their annual Awards ceremony for Travel-Retail Excellence.

The Raven Fox Awards recognize innovation and commitment to quality in duty-free and travel retailing in Asia/Pacific. Voting forms were sent to a special industry 'academy' of retailers, suppliers and agents serving the region who were responsible for nominating and voting for the most outstanding operators and suppliers in the region. Voting forms were also available through Raven Fox's magazines: Duty Free News International and Travel Retailer International and online.

Commenting on the significance of this latest award, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation said: "The Raven Fox Awards are based on votes received by industry professionals and as such it is a great achievement for Dubai Duty Free to be named 'Travel Retailer of the Year' for the third year running."

For the 'Travel Retailer of the Year' award, voters were asked to consider criteria such as customer service, shop design and layout, marketing and promotions, signage, product range and product availability.

Dubai Duty Free's Managing Director, Colm McLoughlin, who was in Cannes when the award was presented said: "The Raven Fox Awards for Retail Excellence are increasingly recognized as an international barometer for industry success and innovation and we are delighted to win this for a record third time.

I would specifically like to thank H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum for his continued support and guidance and to thank the entire team at Dubai Duty Free for their hard work and commitment."

At the Awards Ceremony in Cannes, Dermot Davitt, Editor of Duty Free News International magazine, acknowledged Dubai Duty Free as a worthy winner: "Dubai Duty Free has continued its growth over the year, shrugging off the effects of the regional crisis to cement itself as one of the world's top five duty-free operations."

At another awards ceremony in Cannes last week, Dubai Duty Free was 'Highly-Commended' in the Frontier Awards category for 'Airport Retailers of the Year'. A seven-time Frontier winner, the operation has won the 'Airport Retailer' title a record three times. This year, in line with its support for the Frontier Awards, Dubai Duty Free sponsored two awards including the 'Best Marketing Campaign of the Year by a Supplier" won by Pernod Ricard World Trade and the 'Star Product of the Year' won by Kraft Foods Switzerland, World Travel Retail Division.