Dubai Duty Free on Wednesday announced record-breaking sales for 2017 of Dh7.05 billion ($1.91 billion), representing a 5.6 per cent increase over the previous year.

The 2017 sales figures included a new monthly record in December of over Dh801 million ($218 million). The operation’s 34th Anniversary offer of a 25 per cent discount on a wide range of merchandise over three days in December achieved sales of Dh196 million ($53.3 million)

Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman and CEO, said: “We are pleased to announce such a positive year with 2017 marking our 34th year of business. The entire team at Dubai Duty Free has worked hard to provide passengers with a first class shopping experience at both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International and I join our chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, in thanking them for their efforts.”

In 2017, the operation recorded a staggering 27.2 million sales transactions which average at 75,000 sales transactions per day, while a total of 73 million units of merchandise were sold.

From a category point of view, Perfumes retained its position as the best-selling category with annual sales of Dh1.1 billion ($299.4 million), contributing 16 per cent towards total sales at Dubai Duty Free.

Liquor and Tobacco categories followed with Liquor recording Dh1.09 billion ($296.7 million) in sales, and Tobacco Dh690.11 million ($187.8 million), representing an increase of 2 per cent and 19 per cent respectively.

Cosmetics jumped to fourth place with sales increasing by 17 per cent to Dh626 million ($170.4 million) for the year.

Other steep increases were seen in Electronics which rose by 16 per cent to Dh547 million ($148.8 million), mainly driven by new product launches from the likes of Apple. Watches rose by 13 per cent to Dh518 million ($141 million), while handbags and small leather sales rose by 16 per cent to Dh187 million ($50.9 million).

Sales in departures reached over Dh6.1 billion ($1.6 billion), representing 87 per cent of total annual sales while arrivals sales showed a 3.6 per cent increase over last year and accounted for 10.8 per cent of the total annual sales.

In addition to a remarkable turnover, 2017 provided Dubai Duty Free with another milestones in terms of growth and expansion including the opening of new Perfumes, Cosmetics, Liquor and Tobacco areas in Concourse C to complement the retail area around the Control Tower that opened in the end of 2016, opening of a Bulgari shop in Concourse B, new retail areas for Liquor and Gifts from Dubai in the departures terminal of Al Maktoum International Airport and the opening of a new shop in the Riverland area of the Dubai Parks and Resorts. - TradeArabia News Service