Dubai Duty Free half-year sales up by 15%

Lorna Strickland

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Cosmetics and pens drove sales at DDF in the first half of this year

Dubai Duty Free (DDF) sales have risen by 15% to $323m in the first half of this year. Growth was driven mainly by the writing instruments and beauty categories, with fragrance sales up by 25%, and cosmetics rising by 42%. The retailer has attributed the increases to the extension of the Perfume Shop by 100sq m (1,076sq ft) last December. Sales of pens and lighters grew by 45% following the opening of the refurbished shop in the Sheikh Rashid terminal.

DDF managing director Colm McLoughlin said: "This has obviously been a great year so far and we are expecting annual sales to top $670m. The second half of the year will bring the competion of some new and refurbished areas that we think will continue to add to the shopping experience."

The retailer disclosed that one of these changes will be the opening of the relocated fashion area, expected to be completed by September.

In other news, DDF won nine awards at local event Retailers Award Night. The awards, hosted by distributors Grand Stores, honoured winners in the electronics and hypermarket retail business. Among the awards the retailer garnered, DDF deputy managing director George Horan was named Top Business Professional of the Year 2006.

The awards were held in honour of Grand Stores' 25^th anniversary. DDF also won Nikon Best Joint Promotion Support and Best Business Performance, Sandisk Best Joint Promotion Support and Best Business Performance, Best in Stock Maintenance and Most Friendly Account.