First half sales rise by 27% at Dubai Duty Free

Tina Milton

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Top performing categories including gold, women's and men’s fashion, and handbags and leathergoods have helped to drive strong sales for the first half of 2007 at Dubai Duty Free

Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has reported a 27% increase in sales with turnover reaching $411m for the first six months of the year.

Commenting on the sales figures, DDF managing director Colm McLoughlin said: “2007 began fantastically well and we have maintained impressive sales across all categories. The average number of daily sales transactions has risen to 44,000 with average spend per departing passenger at $45”

Big sales increases were seen in top performing categories including gold, which rose by 35% to reach US$45m in the first half of the year. Significant growth was also witnessed in both the men's and women’s fashion categories, which rose by 79% and 68% respectively, and in handbags and leathergoods, which increased by 120%. “The renovations that we made to the fashion zone in Sheikh Rashid terminal, which enabled us to redesign this area and introduce some new and extended ranges, are now being translated into sales,” added McLoughlin.

Fragrances continued as the number one category, with sales increasing by 27% in the first half of the year to reach $56m. While fragrances sales show no sign of slowing down,  McLoughlin acknowledged that the restrictions placed globally on sales of liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs), have given some passengers cause for concern. However, DDF sales assistants have been trained to deal with the LAGs issue.

McLoughlin said: “I think that our team of staff are doing a great job in explaining restrictions adopted by airports and airlines when it comes to LAGs. Our sales assistants in all outlets selling LAGs are asking passengers their destination and whether they will be transiting to another destination at the end of their flight from Dubai. Passengers are then being advised accordingly."

As part of its sponsorship of Dubai Summer Surprises, DDF is offering shoppers the chance to win Dh250,000 ($68,066) worth of DDF shopping vouchers over the 10-week promotion. Those spending Dh250 ($68) or more have the chance to enter the weekly draw for shopping vouchers worth Dh25,000 ($6,806) with the draw taking place each Thursday at DDF.