Dubai reaches new high

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Dubai Duty Free achieved a record Dhs72.2m ($19.6m) monthly turnover for October--equivalent  to its 1984 sales

A daily average of 16,400 transactions was recorded. Sales rises were recorded across the board with traditional best-sellers gold and fragrances increasing by 23% and 14% respectively. Other categories also improved sharply. Womenswear rose 196% and electronics 48%, the latter generating Dhs6.9m ($1.8m) in sales.

The increases follow the April opening of a 5,400sq m (58,104sq ft) shopping complex in the Sheikh Rashid terminal and the refurbishment of the arrivals duty-free. The new retail area is four times bigger than the previous duty-free space. Dubai Duty Free managing director Colm McLoughlin said: "These record sales figures are a great indication of the success of the new shopping complex. Dubai Duty Free is well on target for a record year with annual turnover predicted to be Dhs791m ($215m)."

Dubai Duty Free was  named "Airport Retailer of the Year" at the annual Frontier awards in Cannes last month.