Abu Dhabi Duty Free (ADDF) has surpassed a milestone by finishing the year 2007 by posting a turnover of $102.6 million.

Up 36.29 per cent over the same period last year, according to general manager of ADDF  and acting commercial director of Abu Dhabi Airports Company Dan Cappell.

“I would like to thank all our customers and staff for making 2007 such a success and I am pleased to announce that we have crossed another key milestone in the history of Abu Dhabi Duty Free by reaching and surpassing the $100 million mark,” said Cappell.

Sales in 2007 were buoyed by robust growth across the core categories of beauty and fragrance, L&T, confectionery and gold with the best performing core category going to electronics with a 52.22 per cent increase. Core category sales accounted for over 58 per cent of total revenue at ADDF in 2007.

Already enjoying one of the highest average spends per transaction in the world, ADDF saw a marked upward trend in 2007 with year-end figures revealing an average $58.50 spent per transaction by departing passengers - up from $51 earlier in the year or 23.54 per cent over 2006 figures.

“Last year’s growth can be attributed to a number of factors but undoubtedly a key contributor has been the increased frequencies and destinations arriving into and flying from Abu Dhabi due to the ever expanding network of the UAE’s national airline Etihad Airways,” added Cappell.

“We are confident that from early in 2008 we will see yet more aggressive growth, particularly as Etihad adds another key destination to their network - Beijing - and the official opening of Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal 3 later in the year will add over 2,500 sq mt of additional retail space and enhanced customer experiences to our customers,” said Cappell. – TradeArabia News Service