Dubai Duty Free’s Ten Month Sales Up By 11%
Dubai Duty Free is looking to achieve double digit sales growth for the year as sales up to the end of October reached an impressive Dhs 4.71 billion (US$1.29 billion), representing an 11% increase over the same period last year. The latest sales figures put the operation on track for year-end sales of an estimated Dhs 6 billion (US$1.6 billion).
The Perfumes category, which accounts for 15% of total sales at Dubai Duty Free, retained the No. 1 spot as sales rose to Dhs 727 million (US$199 million) in the ten-month period.
Impressive sales figures have been recorded across all three Terminals for both departing and arriving passengers: (YTD) Terminal 1 has recorded a 9% increase, while Terminal 2 has shown an impressive 16% increase. Terminal 3, which is dedicated to Emirates Airline, has seen sales grow by 12% while Arrival sales across all Terminals is up by 15%.
Commenting on year to date sales, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free said: "2012 is shaping up to be a fantastic year and I am pleased that our sale per head, which is around US $49, and our penetration level of close to 50%, continues to be so strong. We are looking forward to a busy few weeks ahead and closing the year with record sales."
Notable increases were seen in Confectionery which rose by 18% to Dhs 377 million (US $103 million) while Electronics showed an 11% increase to Dhs 367 million (US $100 million). The Watch category was up by 11% and registered sales of
Dhs 311 million (US $85 million) and Cosmetics rose by 17% with sales of Dhs 299 million (US $82 million).
Subcontinent passengers make up the biggest group of spenders, accounting for 24% of total sales at Dubai Duty Free , followed by Far Eastern passengers, primarily Chinese, who account for 19% of sales. Despite the economic gloom in Europe, European passengers come in third place as the highest spenders, accounting for 16.4% of sales, with Middle Eastern passengers following closely behind accounting for 16% of sales. African-bound passengers make up 12 % of sales, with Russian travelers accounting for 7% of sales.
Food items, particularly confectionery items purchased for gifting, figure high on the shopping list for Subcontinent passengers, while the Chinese travelers focus on cosmetics and skin care, watches and fashion. In the Fashion category alone, for the month of October, Chinese buyers accounted for 47% of sales for Hermes products at Dubai Duty Free . Also in the month of October, the Chinese passengers accounted for 60% of sales for both Estee Lauder and Lancome skin care products.
Dubai Duty Free , which first opened for business on the 20th December 1983, celebrates its 29th anniversary this year and the operation has plans in place to make this a memorable day. The anniversary day has become an annual celebration for all passengers traveling through the airport and will be marked with a 25% discount on a wide range of merchandise during the 24-hour period.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Nov 26, 2012
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