Dubai Duty Free sales up 13% in H1

Dubai Duty Free has said its sales in the first half of the year increased 13 percent to AED3.2bn ($874m), with full-year revenues expected to reach $1.8bn.

Perfume accounted for the largest portion of receipts at AED496m, an 18 percent increase, for the first six months of 2013, followed by gold with a rise of 13 percent, or AED496m. Sales of tobacco were up 13 percent to AED269m, with confectionary increasing 15 percent to AED258m.

“We are pleased that 2013 is shaping up to be such a positive year for Dubai Duty Free as we have seen an increase in consumer spending across all categories, with average spend per departing passenger at $48,” commented Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman of Dubai Duty Free.

“We are looking forward to an equally busy period in the second half of the year. Plans are very much in place for the opening of retail operation at Al Maktoum International in October 2013 and we are busy working towards the planning of the new retail area with the opening of Concourse D,” he added.

Other notable sales increases during the first half of the year were cosmetics and watches, up 17 percent and 22 percent, respectively, compared to the same period a year ago. Sales at departure were up 13 percent, while revenues derived from arrivals and public shops were up 15 percent and 25 percent, respectively.

At the end of the second quarter of 2013, Dubai Duty Free employed 5,700 staff.