Dubai Duty Free (DDF) is now ranked as the No.1 single airport retail operation in the world based on its 2015 sales figures of $1.888 billion, according to The Moodie Report, a leading travel retail publication.

The announcement places Dubai Duty Free ahead of Seoul Incheon International Airport. DDF last held the No. 1 slot in 2013, a DDF statement said.

Commenting on the report, Dubai Duty Free’s executive vice chairman, Colm McLoughlin, said: “For the past several years, Dubai Duty Free has been listed amongst the top two or three single airport retailers in the world in terms of sales and it is great that we have reached the top placing in the world once again.

“A lot of people have worked hard to ensure our success and I sincerely thank our chairman HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum for his unwavering support as well as our customers, partners, suppliers and our staff who do a fantastic job. I look forward to an even more successful year in 2016,” said McLoughlin.

Last year was a busy year for the retail operation which recorded close to 27 million sales transactions, an average of 74,000 per day, across both Dubai International and at Al Maktoum International. Over 78 million pieces of merchandise was sold in the 12 months.

Category wise, perfumes continued to be the highest selling category with annual sales topping Dh1.137 billion ($311.58 million), which represents 16.50 per cent of total annual sales. Liquor and Cigarettes followed, with sales of Dh1.069 billion ($293 million) and Dh589.67 million ($161.55 million) respectively. Confectionery came in 4th place with sales amounting to Dh556.14 million ($152.37 million), followed by gold with Dh549.32 million ($150.50 million).

Dubai Duty Free expansion plans continue in line with the development at Dubai International Airport, where the retail operation will reach 33,000 sq m with the opening of Concourse D next month. The new concourse is a modern, state-of-the-art airside facility that will serve up to 100 international airlines and 18 million passengers annually and will be reached via an elevated rail system.
Concourse D takes Dubai Duty Free to an all new level, with it’s hugely customer friendly retail space centrally located in a bright atrium area. Concourse D will have a strong fashion offer with a total of 1,000 sq m divided into two zones, Perfumes and Cosmetics is positioned as the “lead-in” category while Gold & Precious Stones is situated ‘centre stage’ as a major category.

Meanwhile at Al Maktoum International, the operation will grow in line with the massive development plans of Dubai South, which ultimately cover some 80,000 sq m, the statement said. - TradeArabia News Service