Dubai Duty Free marks the commencement of 2023 with an outstanding achievement, reporting historic annual sales of Dh7.885 billion ($2.16 billion). This remarkable figure reflects a substantial 24.39% increase from the previous year and a noteworthy 6.40% surge compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
December: A Month of Milestones
The record-breaking trend continues in December, concluding with monthly sales reaching Dh807.6 million ($221 million), demonstrating an impressive 8.37% rise compared to 2022. The month’s success is attributed to the 40th-anniversary celebrations, featuring a one-day 25% discount on December 20, resulting in a shopping spree of Dh54.1 million ($14.8 million).
Operational Highlights: Duty Free
Throughout the year, Dubai Duty Free conducted over 20 million sales transactions, averaging 55,000 transactions per day. The operation sold a staggering 55.2 million units of merchandise.
Key Sales Categories
- Perfumes: Sales of Dh1.366 billion, contributing 17% to total sales.
- Liquor: Sales of Dh1.130 billion, accounting for 14% of total annual sales.
- Gold: Recorded sales of Dh773.506 million, contributing 10% to total revenue.
- Cigarettes and Tobacco: Sales of Dh745.694 million, representing 9.5% of total revenue.
- Electronics: Sales of Dh628 million, constituting 8% of total annual sales.
Online Sales and Distribution
- Online Sales: Online transactions comprised 2% of the overall sales, reaching Dh164 million ($45 million).
- Sales Distribution: Departures accounted for Dh7.062 billion, representing 90% of total annual sales, while arrivals totaled Dh612 million, comprising 8% of total annual sales.
Top Source Markets
Dubai Duty Free’s top source markets include India, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and the UK.
Workforce Expansion
As the operation continues to grow, ongoing rehiring and recruitment efforts have increased the total employee count to 5,500.
Future Endeavors
Looking ahead, Dubai Duty Free plans to enhance its retail operations, including major refurbishment plans and scheduled renovations in various areas.
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