Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has announced ‘record-breaking’ annual duty free sales of $1.93bn (€1.61bn) for 2017, exceeding 2016’s sales turnover of US$1.85bn (€1.54bn) by +5.6%.

DDF says it was evident that a ‘remarkable’ year was on the cards when a new monthly sales record of over $219m (€182m) was achieved in December 2017.

Its 34th Anniversary offer of a 25% discount on a wide range of merchandise in December achieved record sales of US$54m (€44.9m) in just three days, as reported.

Commenting on the  results, DDF’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin, said: “We are pleased to announce such a positive year, with 2017 marking our 34^th year of business.

“The entire team at Dubai Duty Free has worked hard to provide passengers with a first class shopping experience at both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International, and I join our Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in thanking them for their efforts.”

PERFUMES IS FRONT RUNNER

DDF says it recorded a ‘staggering’ 27.2m sales transactions in 2017, which average at 75,000 transactions per day. Perfumes retained its top position as the best-selling category with annual sales of $300m, contributing 16% towards DDF’s total sales.

The liquor category recorded $298m in sales, followed by tobacco sales of $189m, representing an increase of +19%. Cosmetics jumped to fourth place with sales increasing +17% to $172m for the year.

Big sales increases were also recorded in the electronics category, rising +16% to $150m, mainly driven by new product launches from companies such as Apple.

Watches rose +13% generating $142m, while handbags and small leather sales increased +16% to $51m.

Sales in Departures reached $1.6bn, representing 87% of DDF’s total annual sales, while arrivals sales showed growth of +3.6% compared to 2016, accounting for 10.8% of total annual sales.

EXPANSION BENEFITS

DDF also attributes its record-breaking results to several expansion projects carried out last year to create more retail space. These include the opening of new perfume, cosmetics, liquor and tobacco areas in Concourse C (at the end of 2016), the opening of a Bulgari shop in Concourse B, new retail areas for liquor and gifts from Dubai in the departures terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, and the opening of a new shop in the Riverland area of the Dubai Parks and Resorts.

Looking ahead, DDF says it will continue to maintain its busy events and promotional calendar, which includes the DDF Tennis Championships to be held from 19 February to 3 March at the DDF Tennis Stadium.