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“2010 was an excellent year with sales of US$1.27 billion, and we are looking at topping that by at least +10% this year“ |
Colm McLoughlin Managing Director Dubai Duty Free |
UAE. Dubai Duty Free first quarter sales hit AED1.25 billion (US$343 million), representing a +13% increase over the same period last year and signalling strong prospects for the year ahead.
Commenting on the sales trend so far in 2011, Managing Director Colm McLoughlin said: “We are pleased to announce a +13% increase in sales over the same period last year. 2010 was an excellent year with sales of US$1.27 billion, and we are looking at topping that by at least +10% this year.
“During the first quarter we have seen substantial increases in our top categories in addition to growth in other categories, all of which is extremely encouraging, and we are optimistic that this year will be another record year for Dubai Duty Free.”
Liquor, Perfumes and Gold took the top three spots category-wise in the opening months of the year. Perfume sales reached AED174 million (US$48 million), representing a +16% increase in sales over the first quarter in 2010 while Gold sales increased by +13% to AED138.5 million (US$38 million).
Confectionery sales continued to grow in the early part of 2011 as sales rose by +8% to AED94 million (US$26 million) while Electronics made a significant return to form with the category growing by +13% to reach AED90 million (US$25 million).
Other high selling categories included the Watches and Clocks category which rose by +39%, Cosmetics rose by +20%, Luggage and Travel Accessories by +18% and Ladies’ Fashion by +12%.
Recruitment at Dubai Duty Free continued apace in the first quarter of 2011 with 136 new sales assistants appointed, bringing the total staff close to 4,000. A recent exhibitor at the UAE Careers Fair, Dubai Duty Free has an ongoing policy of recruiting UAE nationals and will continue with its recruitment plans for the remainder of the year, it said.
