| Kippreport.com

Dubai Duty Free No. 1 Airport Retailer in the World Generation Research place Dubai Tops in Turnover

August 17, 2009 12:00 by Aarti Nagraj

Dubai Duty Free, which recorded sales of US$1.1 billion last year, is now the biggest single airport retail operation in the world based on sales analysis released by independent industry experts, Generation Research. The announcement places Dubai Duty Free ahead of London Heathrow and Seoul Incheon International Airport who both just exceeded the US$1 billion sales.

 

Commenting on the research figures, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, said: “For the past several years Dubai Duty Free has been listed amongst the top three airport retailers in the world in terms of sales. Therefore it is a great achievement to be placed at the top. Congratulations to the Dubai Duty Free management and staff for this achievement.”

 

In 2008, the global duty free and travel retail business rose to US$37 billion, an increase of 8.8% over the previous year, from which airport duty free sales accounted for US$21.8 billion. With sales of US$1.1 billion in 2008, Dubai Duty Free accounts for 5% of the airport duty free business and 3% of the wider duty free and travel retail global business.

 

Commenting on the attainment of the No. 1 spot for a single operator, Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said: “We are obviously delighted to achieve the No. 1 spot based on our sales of US$1.1 billion. A lot of people have worked hard to ensure our success and I sincerely thank H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum for his unswerving support as well as our partners, suppliers and our staff who do a fantastic job. Thanks to all of our customers, who continue to shop at Dubai Duty Free.”

 

2008 was a major year for Dubai Duty Free which celebrated its 25^th anniversary in December. With the opening of Emirates Terminal 3 last October, the retail operation doubled to 15,000 square metres and its staffing levels to 3,500. In line with this expansion, the operation moved into its purpose-built Head Office and Distribution Centre in Ramoul, where the semi-automated warehouse covers some 27,000 square metres.