UAE. Dubai Duty Free is preparing to open new Gucci and Chanel boutiques in Terminal 3, Concourse B at Dubai International in coming months, amid an expansion of its luxury goods offer. Both brands are available in Concourse A already.
Dubai Duty Free Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Cidambi said: “We have been upgrading the fashion offer, with new boutiques coming late this and early next year. At the end of November we’ll open Gucci, with Chanel to come towards the end of Q1 2019. Concourse A is 20% of our business, Concourse B is 35%, so we are very keen that those travellers in B have the opportunity to encounter great brands such as Chanel and Gucci.”
The new boutiques will complement a Bulgari store that opened in Concourse B in January, offering jewellery, watches, accessories and fragrances. Also in B, an updated technology offer opened this summer, while there are plans to extend space for P&C in the west side by around 180sq m. The sports equipment and merchandise range is to be updated in this concourse too.
Other investment plans for Concourse B include upgrading the retailer’s two Food Plus shops. “We’re also looking at building a new gold shop as well as making other smaller changes,” noted Cidambi. “This part of the development will start towards the end of 2018, with conclusion in Q3 next year. With Concourse B so important to our sales, we have to be careful that we minimise any inconvenience to passengers and any negative impact on our business.”
As reported, a major refurbishment of Concourse C, which features new watches and electronics shops (enhanced liquor & tobacco and beauty areas opened previously), will be completed by year-end across 4,700sq m.
Dubai Duty Free remains on course to hit its ambitious sales target of US$2 billion for the year, said Cidambi, despite some (currency-related) softening of the business from mid-year.
*The full interview with Ramesh Cidambi will feature in The Official MEADFA Guide, published by The Moodie Davitt Report, which appears at the MEADFA Conference in Beirut on 19-20 November.
