Dubai Duty Free sales hit US$14.8 million on 40th anniversary day : Moodie Davitt Report

UAE. Dubai Duty Free sales reached AED54.2 million (US$14.8 million) on its 40th anniversary, 20 December, supported by a special -25% discount on a wide range of merchandise over the 24 hours. The daily sales figure leapt +53% compared to the same day a year ago. [Click here for our on location coverage of the 40th anniversary celebration over the past two days.]

The anniversary sale, which was extended to the retailer’s Home Delivery and Click & Collect offers, resulted in a “spending spree” at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports, said Dubai Duty Free.

The Dubai Duty Free staff and management gather for celebrations in Concourse C on 20 December

Cutting a celebratory cake in Concourse C were the Dubai Duty Free team led by Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin (fourth left). Also pictured (from left) are Senior Vice President Purchasing Sharon Beecham, Senior Vice President Human Resources Mona Al Ali, Senior Vice President Marketing Sinead El Sibai, Joint COO Salah Tahlak, Senior Vice President Finance Dr. Bernard Creed, Senior Vice President Loss Prevention & Security Zayed Al Shebli and Senior Vice President Retail Michael Schmidt.

Perfumes was the highest-selling category, with sales of AED12.4 million (US$3.4 million) during the anniversary day sale, followed by watches with sales of AED7.5 million (US$2.1 million), while ticket sales for the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw reached AED6.6 million (US$1.8 million).

Liquor delivered sales of AED6.4 million (US$1.7 million), followed by cosmetics with sales of AED4.3 million (US$1.2 million).

Saluting the 40th anniversary milestone in Concourse B. Below, the Dubai Duty Free executive team along with Director General, Department of Airports Security H.E. Major General Ali Atiq Bin Lahej at the cake cutting ceremony in Concourse B.

Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “We are very pleased with the positive result of our 40th anniversary sales across all Concourses within 24 hours. There was huge excitement among our customers and staff on the day and I would like to thank everyone for contributing towards our milestone anniversary celebrations.”

Martin Moodie caught up with Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin just after yesterday’s on-site celebrations concluded. Listen to our podcast interview below.

Across the day, online sales topped AED7.5 million (US$2.1 million) with a total of 5,815 combined orders received through Click & Collect and Home Delivery services as well as tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions purchased online.

During the 24-hour anniversary sale, Dubai Duty Free recorded 79,812 sales transactions while the Dubai Duty Free Distribution Centre issued 800 pallets of merchandise and the total number of picks in the warehouse was 8,041 for 265,799 units of merchandise.

The Dubai Duty Free anniversary promotion is now a highly anticipated event with many travellers choosing to travel on the day to benefit from the -25% discount. The Dubai Duty Free Anniversary offer was first introduced when the airport retailer marked its 20th anniversary in 2003.

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