Colm McLoughlin with Dubai Duty Free staff in Concourse C Control Tower.

Total sales achieved on Dubai Duty Free’s 39th anniversary topped US$29.4 million, bolstered by a special 25% discount offered on a wide range of products over three days from 18-20 December.

As previously reported, the 72-hour anniversary sale (which was also extended to its Home Delivery customers and Click & Collect offer), spurred a spending spree at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports, rising 23% higher than the same period last year.

Perfumes was the highest selling category with sales of US$7.3 million during the three-day period followed by liquor with sales of US$4.1 million, and watches with sales of US$2.8 million.

Cosmetics took the fourth spot with sales of US$2 million, while ticket sales for Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire reached an impressive US$1.9 million, making it the fifth most popular category.

“We are very happy to have achieved such great sales over the three-day anniversary and that so many travellers had the opportunity to avail of the special discount that we offer,” said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free.

“I would like to thank everyone for helping us achieve such sales, in particular our customers and our staff who did a great job in serving the high number of passengers.”

Online sales during the same period topped US$2.2 million, with a total of 6,122 combined orders received through Click & Collect and Home Delivery service, as well as tickets for the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions purchased online.

Furthermore, the cash registers recorded a total of 205,956 sales transactions with 67,837 transactions alone on 20 December.

The Dubai Duty Free anniversary promotion was first introduced in 2003 to mark the retailer’s 20th anniversary and has become a key fixture on the annual calendar with ‘many travellers choosing to travel on the days when the 25% discount is offered’, according to the retailer.