UAE. Dubai Duty Free annual sales hit US$2.015 billion in 2018, representing a +4.31% increase compared to 2017. As we reported exclusively, the retailer smashed through the US$2 billion barrier at 00.43 on 29 December (UAE time).
Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “We are pleased to announce such a positive year in 2018, which marked our 35th anniversary and the crossing of the US$2 billion mark. The entire team at Dubai Duty Free has worked hard to provide passengers with a first-class shopping experience at both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International and I join our Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in thanking them for their efforts.”
The five best-selling categories for the year were liquor followed by perfumes, cigarettes, cosmetics and electronics. Sales of perfumes reached US$301.6 million and contributed 14.97% of total sales. Cosmetics posted sales of US$208.88 million and electronics sales reached US$163.1 million, with these two categories showing healthy increases of +21.77% and +8.82% year-on-year, respectively.
Sales of watches, in sixth position, rose by +2.66% to US$145.63 million and accounted for 7.23% of annual sales. Gold followed with sales of US$134.21 million, accounting for 6.66% of total sales while confectionery recorded sales of US$130.37 million and accounted for a 6.47% contribution.
Sales in Departures rose by +6.12% to US$1.78 billion and accounted for 88.35% of total 2018 sales.
The operation has also recorded a total of 25,507,998 sales transactions for the year with 68,755,388 pieces of merchandise sold.
The operation’s 35th anniversary day on 20 December resulted in a huge surge in sales with 103,626 transactions recorded and sales of US$29.26 million in the 24-hour period. As reported, the company hosted a three-day celebration for its anniversary, with a -25% discount on a wide range of goods.
Dubai Duty Free also delivered some other milestones in the year, including the refurbishment of Concourse C, enhancements to the fashion offer in Concourse B and the opening of a retail shop in Queen Elizabeth 2, the first floating hotel located in Port Rashid.
Dubai Duty Free said it plans to continue to enhance its retail operation in 2019 while maintaining a busy events and promotional calendar. This includes the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships from 17 February to 2 March at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
