UAE. Dubai Duty Free has celebrated the Diwali Festival of Light at Dubai International with a series of events and a big promotional campaign.
Promotions included a -20% discount on 1 and 2 November for all arriving and departing passengers travelling through Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airport. The campaign helped deliver sales of AED61.3 million (US$17 million) for the retailer. Cosmetics was the top-performing category with sales of AED13.2 million (US$3.6 million) followed by fragrances at AED10.5 million (US$3 million).
Other offers included an exclusive collection of 24karat gold figurines of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, each representing different powers of the Hindu faith. Themed retail areas for Diwali are in place throughout the stores, while Indian staff are dressed in traditional attire.
Earlier today a special reception was attended by H.E. Vipul, the Indian Consul General to Dubai. He was welcomed by Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin and senior management including Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Cidambi and Executive Vice President – Corporate Services Salah Tahlak.
A traditional Indian dance (Kathak) was performed by dance troupe Gurukul Dubai to welcome the guests in Terminal 3 Concourse B before H.E. Vipul was invited to make the draw for the popular Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions.
Fehmida Tanveeer, a Pakistani national based in Dubai, won US$1 million; Faisal Salem Al Masoud from Kuwait won a Bentley Bentayga car and Australian Andrew Boxall won an Indian Scouts motorbike.
After the draw, the Dubai Duty Free group and Consul General attended a ceremonial cake cutting and a second dance performance by Gurukul Dubai.
Colm McLoughlin said: “We are privileged to be joined by the Indian Consul General, H.E. Vipul to celebrate Diwali. Dubai Duty Free employs 934 Indian nationals and Indian passengers account for 18% of our business, so it is appropriate that we mark this most popular Festival, which is celebrated all over the world.”
Consul General H.E. Vipul said: “Thank you Colm and Ramesh for inviting me here and for Dubai Duty Free to celebrate Diwali. I feel very happy when I see Diwali being celebrated across Dubai and at Dubai Duty Free in particular. I feel happy that you are doing good business, that so many Indians are employed with Dubai Duty Free and that Indian nationals pass through Dubai Airport for tourism or transit.”
