Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has reported a 12% increase in first quarter sales to Dhms.571m ($155.4m) compared with the same period last year and the retailer says it is hopeful that this good start will

pave the way for yet another record sales year.
?We have had a busy first few months of the year and are pleased to see that our sales reflect that,’ said DDF Managing Director Colm McLoughlin. ‘We have undertaken a series of renovations in the past few weeks and have more planned in the coming months, all of which will improve the retail offer further.?
Included in the changes is the opening of a new Household shop, incorporating soft furnishings and home appliances. ?The Household shop is a new direction and we believe there is a demand for this category,? added McLoughlin. ?We have also redesigned the Precious Stones shop and built a new Gadget shop, both of which are doing well.?
In the first quarter, significant sales increases were recorded in the Perfumes and Cosmetics category which rose to Dhms.94m ($25.5m), representing a 28% increase over last year. Sales in the new Arrivals Duty Free, which is double the size of the former outlet, rose to Dhms.49m ($13.3m), reflecting a 25% increase in sales.
Over the next few months DDF plans to revamp its Electronics Shop, which currently accounts for around 9% of sales. This will include a new ?Sound & Vision and Games? area, a new Camcorder area and a new Music Shop.
DDF currently operates a total retail area of 7,000sq m. With the opening in 2007 of Concourse Two, the retail area will increase by a further 10,000sq m.[The following exchange rate was used in this story: 1 Dhm. = 0.272250 USD/1 USD = 3.67310 Dhms-Ed].