Dubai Duty Free earns Dh5.9b in 2012

Dubai Duty Free (DDF) earned Dh5.9 billion in sales last year, up by 10 per cent from 2011, it announced yesterday. The Duty Free is looking to add new retailers to its current mix of brands in 2013, Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman told Gulf News. “We have been able to look at some new suppliers as a result of the new Concourse opening, particularly in the fashion and luxury side of things.” With the phased opening of Concourse A dedicated to Emirates A380 planes, the DDF now has 26,000 square metres of retail space at Dubai International Airport. “The main challenge for Dubai Duty Free in the coming year will be ensure that our logistics and IT systems, which are crucial to our 24 hour operation, are sufficiently geared up for the growing retail operation which is in diverse locations… We have also had to recruit a great deal in the past year in readiness for Concourse A and it is important that the additional staff are well trained and fully integrated into the work force,” he said. The travel retailer recorded a total of 23.5 million sales transactions in 2012, or an average of 64,200 purchases a day, it said in a statement. Perfumes, beverages and gold were the top three sellers last year. Perfume sales reached Dh907 million (US$249 million), an increase of 13 per cent, or US$28 million over the previous year. This category now contributes 15 per cent towards total sales at Dubai Duty Free. Sales breakdown Beverage sales saw an increase of 17 per cent to Dh871 million (US$239 million), while Gold retained the No 3 position with sales of Dh582 million (US$159 million). Tobacco sales reached Dh476 million (US$130 million), a 10 per cent increase year-on-year. Confectionery sales jumped to the fifth position and recorded sales of Dh465 million (US$127 million), representing an 18 per cent increase over last year. Electronics sales rose by 13 per cent to Dh460 million (US$126 million), watches rose by 11 per cent to Dh396 million (US$108 million) while Cosmetics sales rose by 14 per cent to Dh373 million (US$102 million). McLoughlin is forecasting sales of Dh6.6 billion for 2013, he said. In December, the travel retailer reached a new monthly sales record of Dh619 million, DDF said in a statement. In terms of retail areas, Terminal 1 recorded a 7 per cent increase on overall sales, Terminal 2 sales increased by 15 per cent and Terminal 3, which currently accounts for 60 per cent of total sales, increased by 11 per cent. Sales in the Arrivals retail areas increased overall by 13 per cent. From: Gulf News