DUBAI Duty Free has announced record annual sales of over Dh2.1 billion (over $590 million), representing a 19 per cent increase over last year.
As expected, the last month of the year provided the operation with some new sales statistics, when daily sales on December 20, Dubai Duty Free’s 22nd Anniversary, soared to an unprecedented Dh17.7 million ($4.9 million). The month of December also set a new monthly record with sales topping Dhs219 million ($60 million).
Outlining the highlights of the past year, Colm McLoughlin, managing director of Dubai Duty Free said: “2005 was a fantastic year and one that saw a number of renovations and additions to the retail operation, including the opening of a new 650 sqm Arrivals Duty Free and a new Pharmacy.”
The statistics behind the sales figures in 2005 reflect the phenomenal level of business undertaken at Dubai Duty Free: in 2005 the total number of sales transactions was close to 13 million, which represents an average of 35,600 sales transactions undertaken every 24 hours, 365 days of the year.
Individual categories which showed exceptional growth in 2005 include Liquor, which rose 25 per cent, perfumes (up 29 per cent), men’s fashion (up 85 per cent) and Gifts from Dubai (an increase of 52 per cent).
The Arrivals Duty Free sales grew 20 per cent, with this category now accounting for eight per cent of total sales.