Dubai marks anniversary with new sales record

John Rimmer

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Dubai Duty Free achieved daily sales of Dh17.7m ($4.82m) on December 20 as the retailer celebrated its 22nd anniversary

Dubai Duty Free posted a new daily sales record yesterday (December 20) as the operator celebrated the 22nd anniversary of its foundation. Daily sales reached Dh17.7m ($4.82m), pushing year-to-date revenue past Dh2bn ($545m) and ensuring another record year for the Middle East's leading travel retailer.

To mark its anniversary, DDF offered customers a 22% discount on a wide range of goods, and completed over 61,500 sales transactions during the day. The best-selling category was watches and timepieces, where sales reached Dh4.4m ($1.2m), up 76% on the same day in 2004. Sales of fragrances increased by 89% year-on-year, reaching Dh3.4m ($926,430).

As part of the retailer's anniversary celebrations, Dubai Department of Civil Aviation president HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum opened DDF's extended beauty store, the new pens and lighters outlet, a pharmacy plus corners for Mac, Shiseido and Montblanc. He also conducted two Millennium Millionaire raffle draws.

DDF managing director Colm McLoughlin said: "We set a new sales record on our 22nd anniversary and it was great to be able to share our celebrations with our customers. At 12.10pm on the anniversary day, the sales for the year crossed the Dh2bn mark, which is fantastic.

"In addition to thanking our customers for making the anniversary day so memorable, I would like to thank HH Sheikh Ahmed, who joined in our anniversary activities on the shop floor. Thanks also to all of our team of staff, who did a great job throughout the day."