Dubai
Duty Free - in brief. Dubai Duty Free opened for business
on December 20th 1983 and over the past two decades has
grown to become one of the top three airport retailers in
the world with a turnover that has risen from US$20 million
(1984) to US$712 million (2006).
Employing
over 1800 people, the operation has consistently raised
the benchmark for airport retailing in the Middle East.
Its founding principal of offering international travelers
a wide range of quality merchandise and a high level of
service in a shopper-friendly environment, still holds true
to this day.
Offering
over 35,000 product lines, Dubai Duty Free recorded over
16 million sales transactions in 2005, which is an average
of 44000 transactions per day.
Ahead
of the fields
There seems to be no stopping Dubai Duty Free. Consistent
high sales during its 22 years of exceptional growth have
helped it to become firmly established as one of the world’s
travel retail giants. Currently ranked No3 in the world
in terms of turnover, record sales year on year have long
been the hallmark of Dubai Duty Free and in 2006 reported
a turnover of US$ 712 million. Commenting on the year-end
figures, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President
of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai said: “It
has been another highly successful year for Dubai Duty Free
and the turnover reflects the operation’s determination
to retain its position as one of the top three duty free
operations in the world. I congratulate the team at Dubai
Duty Free on its record-breaking achievements.”
“This
has obviously been a great year so far and we are expecting
annual sales to top US$712 million,” commented Colm
McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free. “There
will also be some new and refurbished areas that we think
will continue to add to the shopping experience.”These
changes include the refurbished Fashion area and Electronics.
Changes which have contributed to the recent success include
the opening of a new Household shop, offering top-quality
soft furnishings and home appliances.
The
range and quality of goods available at Dubai Duty Free
is second to none, perfect for gifts and must-have items
whether you are leaving or arriving in Dubai. The spacious
shopfloor layout is customer friendly, while the operation’s
reputation for excellent service and value-for-money ensures
that Dubai Duty Free is one of the best-known duty free
operations in the world. You really will not want to get
on that plane!In recognition of its success, 2006 has seen
the operation continue to be a regular award winner, and
it recently scooped the Business Traveler Middle East award
for Duty Free Shopping for a sixth consecutive year. In
2006, Dubai Duty Free continued to receive international
recognition and won the industry’s Raven Fox Award
for ‘Middle East Travel Retailer of the Year’
in addition to winning the Business Traveller Middle East
award for ‘Best Airport for Duty Free Shopping’.
Also in 2006, Dubai Duty Free retained its status as a ‘Superbrand’
while on the sporting front the Dubai Duty Free Men’s
Open won the ATP Tour Awards for ‘Tournament of the
Year’ and ‘Best ATP Tournament “ Operations’.
“Those
who vote in these awards are frequent travelers who have high
expectations when it comes to service and quality. Therefore
their continued vote of support is particularly rewarding,”
commented HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President
of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai and Chairman of
Emirates Group. There is set to be even more surprises ahead
from Dubai Duty Free as it approaches its 23rd birthday and
looks forward to breaking more records in the future. Construction
is already well underway on the new Concourse at Dubai International
Airport, which will expand the Duty Free retail area by a
further 8,000 square metres and is due for completion in the
later part of the year.
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