Dubai Duty Free

Dubai Duty Free
Dubai Duty Free - in brief. Dubai Duty Free opened for business on December 20th 1983 and over the past two decades has grown to become one of the top three airport retailers in the world with a turnover that has risen from US$20 million (1984) to US$712 million (2006).

Employing over 1800 people, the operation has consistently raised the benchmark for airport retailing in the Middle East. Its founding principal of offering international travelers a wide range of quality merchandise and a high level of service in a shopper-friendly environment, still holds true to this day.

Offering over 35,000 product lines, Dubai Duty Free recorded over 16 million sales transactions in 2005, which is an average of 44000 transactions per day.

Ahead of the fields
There seems to be no stopping Dubai Duty Free. Consistent high sales during its 22 years of exceptional growth have helped it to become firmly established as one of the world’s travel retail giants. Currently ranked No3 in the world in terms of turnover, record sales year on year have long been the hallmark of Dubai Duty Free and in 2006 reported a turnover of US$ 712 million. Commenting on the year-end figures, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai said: “It has been another highly successful year for Dubai Duty Free and the turnover reflects the operation’s determination to retain its position as one of the top three duty free operations in the world. I congratulate the team at Dubai Duty Free on its record-breaking achievements.”

“This has obviously been a great year so far and we are expecting annual sales to top US$712 million,” commented Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free. “There will also be some new and refurbished areas that we think will continue to add to the shopping experience.”These changes include the refurbished Fashion area and Electronics. Changes which have contributed to the recent success include the opening of a new Household shop, offering top-quality soft furnishings and home appliances.

The range and quality of goods available at Dubai Duty Free is second to none, perfect for gifts and must-have items whether you are leaving or arriving in Dubai. The spacious shopfloor layout is customer friendly, while the operation’s reputation for excellent service and value-for-money ensures that Dubai Duty Free is one of the best-known duty free operations in the world. You really will not want to get on that plane!In recognition of its success, 2006 has seen the operation continue to be a regular award winner, and it recently scooped the Business Traveler Middle East award for Duty Free Shopping for a sixth consecutive year. In 2006, Dubai Duty Free continued to receive international recognition and won the industry’s Raven Fox Award for ‘Middle East Travel Retailer of the Year’ in addition to winning the Business Traveller Middle East award for ‘Best Airport for Duty Free Shopping’. Also in 2006, Dubai Duty Free retained its status as a ‘Superbrand’ while on the sporting front the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open won the ATP Tour Awards for ‘Tournament of the Year’ and ‘Best ATP Tournament “ Operations’.

“Those who vote in these awards are frequent travelers who have high expectations when it comes to service and quality. Therefore their continued vote of support is particularly rewarding,” commented HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai and Chairman of Emirates Group. There is set to be even more surprises ahead from Dubai Duty Free as it approaches its 23rd birthday and looks forward to breaking more records in the future. Construction is already well underway on the new Concourse at Dubai International Airport, which will expand the Duty Free retail area by a further 8,000 square metres and is due for completion in the later part of the year.