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Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin: “The new Emirates Terminal 3 is absolutely stunning” |
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Dubai Duty Free celebrates new Emirates Terminal 3 opening – Colm McLoughlin interviewed |
UAE. There was intense excitement among Dubai Duty Free management today amid the opening of Dubai International Airport’s long-awaited new Emirates Terminal 3.
Dubai Duty Free is operating over 8,000sq m of retail space in T3, more than double its former retail operations at Dubai International. The Dubai Duty Free team have been working around the clock to prepare for today’s opening – the first stage of a phased launch for the terminal, which is dedicated to the national carrier Emirates.
On the eve of the opening Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin told The Moodie Report last night: “The new Emirates Terminal 3 is absolutely stunning… and the stores are looking better every day.”
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A number of the senior management team of Dubai Duty Free with Managing Director Colm McLoughlin and Deputy Managing Director George Horan at the new retail operation in Emirates Terminal 3 on the opening of the new facility |
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The terminal is notable for its magnificent white columns [Pictures: Martin Moodie – Minox DC 8011] |
To mark the occasion, the airport retailer offered the first passengers in Terminal 3 a -10% discount on a wide range of products.
McLoughlin said today: “We wanted to mark the day by offering a one-off discount to the first passengers. A great deal of hard work has gone into making this day come to fruition and I would like to thank all of those involved with ensuring that the duty free operation is up and running and looking fantastic.
“On behalf of Dubai Duty Free I would also like to congratulate H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports on this historic day,” he added.
The Moodie Report had a preview tour of the new terminal last week. It is a magnificent, highly distinctive building, characterised by a series of huge white columns that support the huge, expansive sweep of the roof. Other highlights include the superbly elegant passenger lounges and a diverse retail and food & beverage offer.
Dubai Duty Free’s retail proposition is very different to that in the existing Concourse 2, notable for a much-enhanced fashion and accessories offer, a splitting of foodstuffs and confectionery away from liquor and tobacco and a considerable enhancing of the perfumes and cosmetics department.
Dubai Duty Free’s 8,000sq m-plus of shopping space in T3 includes Departures, Arrivals and landside shops. The additional retail area complements the 7,000sq m of space in T1 and T2.
“The new operation has enabled us to increase our current range of products in certain categories and to add some new brands,” said McLoughlin. “We are very excited about the future of the entire retail operation and with sales currently running at +27% ahead of last year we think we have an exciting few months ahead of us.”
In preparation for the opening of T3, Dubai Duty Free’s staffing levels have increased to 3,500. The operation recently opened its new Head Office in Ramoul, which is located beside the 27,000sq m, semi-automated Distribution Centre. The latter will become the centralized warehouse and distribution centre for the duty free operations in Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Look out for a special supplement dedicated not only to the T3 opening but also Dubai Duty Free’s 25th anniversary, which the retailer celebrates on 20 December – published by The Moodie Report later this month.
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The passenger lounges are elegant and restful [Picture: Martin Moodie – Minox DC 8011] |
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The old: The T2 perfumes & cosmetics offer is at bursting point [Picture: Martin Moodie – Minox DC 8011] |
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And the new: Cleaner lines, space and elegance are the hallmarks of the Dubai Duty Free T3 beauty department |
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Top brands are given much improved space and visibility in T3 [Picture: Martin Moodie – Minox DC 8011] |
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Dubai Duty Free showcases a greatly enhanced fashion and accessories offer |
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The Emporio Armani boutique is a real stand-out in the enhanced fashion department |
MORE STORIES ON DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Dubai Duty Free sales soar by +27% for first nine months; on track for record year – 06/10/08
Dubai Airports names 14 October for T3 soft opening – 23/08/08
Dubai Duty Free extends event support as Europe clinches Shergar Cup victory at Ascot – 11/08/08
