Dubai Duty Free on track for record year

Tina Milton

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The retailer announces the launch of its charitable foundation as sales so far this year point to a landmark year

Dubai Duty Free has enjoyed a 36% sales increase to Dhs1.26 ($350m) for the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2003. Major sales growth was seen in the cosmetics category where sales rose by 70%, sunglasses increased by 50% and cameras and accessories grew by 64%. Sales of gold, which accounts for 11% of the total sales at Dubai Duty Free, has increased by 40% and the fragrance category, which accounts for 12% of sales, grew by 41%.

 ?Sales at Dubai Duty Free have consistently grown throughout the year and annual sales are expected to reach US$500m, which represents an increase of 30% over last year,? said president of the department of civil aviation H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Dubai Duty Free managing director Colm McLoughlin added: ?There are a number of factors driving the increasing sales figures, including the opening of new shops that have dramatically improved the central retail area in Sheikh Rashid terminal. In the past year alone, we opened a new gold shop, a new watch shop and the Gifts from Dubai shop.?

McLoughlin added the retailer will continue to review its retail offer and new plans for the last quarter of the year include the introduction of a new fashion area in Sheikh Rashid terminal and the expansion of the arrivals duty-free in terminal one.

The news comes as Dubai Duty Free launches the Dubai Duty Free Foundation, a charitable foundation established to help needy causes, which will operate under the auspices of H.H Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The funds raised will be given to needy causes around the world, with a particular emphasis on causes that directly benefit children. In addition to start-up funds donated by Dubai Duty Free, collection boxes for the Foundation will be placed at its duty-free operations at Dubai International Airport.

 ?The idea behind the Foundation really grew from our 20th Anniversary Charity Drive which raised US$1.9m for a number of charities,? said McLoughlin. ?While this was a very successful one-day event to mark the operation's 20th anniversary, we felt that by setting up the Dubai Duty Free Foundation we would be able to do greater long-term good. I think the foundation will grow into something very meaningful.?

Dubai Duty Free will celebrate 21 years of operation on December 20 2004.