H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports has congratulated Dubai Duty Free on becoming the number one duty free and travel retail airport

location in 2008 – as exclusively reported by TREND on June 26.

As reported on this website, Dubai Duty Free, which recorded sales of $1.1bn last year, is now the biggest single airport retail operation in the world based on sales analysis released by our TREND partners Generation Research. The announcement places Dubai Duty Free ahead of London Heathrow and Seoul Incheon International Airport who both just exceeded the $1bn sales.

Commenting on the research figures, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed said: ‘For the past several years Dubai Duty Free has been listed amongst the top three airport retailers in the world in terms of sales. Therefore it is a great achievement to be placed at the top. Congratulations to the Dubai Duty Free management and staff for this achievement.’

In 2008, the global duty free and travel retail business rose to $37bn, an increase of 8.8% over the previous year, from which airport duty free sales accounted for $21.8bn. With sales of $1.1bn in 2008, Dubai Duty Free accounted for a market share of 5% of the airport duty free business and 3% of the wider duty free and travel retail global business.

Commenting on the attainment of the No. 1 spot for a single airport operator and location, Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said: ‘We are obviously delighted to achieve the No. 1 spot based on our sales of $1.1bn. A lot of people have worked hard to ensure our success and I sincerely thank H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum for his unswerving support as well as our partners, suppliers and our staff who do a fantastic job. Thanks to all of our customers, who continue to shop at Dubai Duty Free.’

DDF achieved impressive sales in several categories last year, with perfume leading the field with $155m-worth of sales, followed by liquor with $143.7m; gold ($124.5m); electronics ($86.9m); tobacco ($83.1m); confectionery ($80m); watches and clocks ($65.8m); cosmetics ($58.6m); delicatessen ($50.5m); and Gifts from Dubai ($14.8m).

Meanwhile, in separate news this month, a 35-year old British national, Piya Bahirwani has won $5m in Dubai Duty Free's Multi-Millionaire draw. The draw was conducted yesterday at Dubai Duty Free's new Head Office and Distribution Centre by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Colm McLoughlin.

The Multi-Millionaire draw, which was launched to coincide with the operation's 25th Anniversary and the opening of its new retail operation in Terminal 3 last year, was a one-off promotion intended to complement Dubai Duty Free's ongoing Finest Surprise Luxury Car and its Millennium Millionaire promotions.

The Multi-Millionaire Draw coincided with the official inauguration by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai Duty Free's new Head Office and Distribution Centre. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the entrance to the 6,000sq m office building, His Highness enjoyed a tour of the new facility which includes a 27,000sq m Distribution Centre.

[An extensive interview with Colm McLoughlin appears in 'The Top 10 Airports' special report that accompanies the latest issue of The Travel Retail Business magazine this month].