Dubai duty free annual sales reach $1.74 billion in 2022

Dubai Duty Free ushered in the new year by announcing annual sales of $1.74 billion in 2022, representing a 78% increase over the previous year.

A sign that the operation was on track for a strong recovery after two challenging years was evident in August, when it recorded a 104% increase in sales for the first eight months of the year, when sales reached $1.06 billion.

December sales were further fuelled by Dubai Duty Free’s 39^th anniversary celebrations when the operation offered a 25% discount from the December 18-20, which resulted in a shopping spree of $29.4 million during the 72-hour period.

Reflecting on the year at Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, said that they were thrilled to announce such a positive year as travel returns, during which the operation went from strength to strength.

“I would like to thank our Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, for his ongoing support and I join him in thanking our great team of staff, our suppliers and of course our customers, who are fundamental to our continued growth and success,” he said.

Record Sales
The operation recorded over 17.3 million sales transactions throughout the year, or an average of 46,912 sales transactions per day, while a staggering 47.302 million units of merchandise were sold.

With sales of $310.66 million, perfumes, which contributed 18% of total sales retained its position as the top selling category.

It was followed by liquor, gold, cigarettes & tobacco, and electronics. Sales of liquor reached $279.84 million) and accounted for 16% of the total annual sales. On the other hand, gold sales were to the tune of $172.41 million and contributed 10% towards total revenue.

Cigarettes & tobacco came in fourth place with sales amounting to $154.07 million and accounted for 9% of total revenue while Electronics came in fifth place with sales of $137.59 million and accounted for 8% of total annual sales. Online sales accounted for 2.54% of the overall sales tally for 2022 and reached $44.16 million.

Sales in departures across the operation totalled $1.53 billion representing 88% of total annual sales, while sales at arrival terminals stood at $157.092 million, representing 9% of total annual sales.

Meanwhile, in line with the growth of the operation, rehiring and recruitment continued with the total employee count now standing 4,663.

Awards

Throughout the year, Dubai Duty Free received a total of 19 awards, including its 21^st consecutive Business Traveller Middle East Award for “Best Airport for Duty Free Shopping in the Middle East,” the Gulf Business “Retail Company of the Year” award and the 16^th consecutive Global Traveller Award for “Best Duty-Free Shopping in the World.”

Colm McLoughlin was also the recipient of two personal awards including being honoured with the inaugural Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) Lifetime Achievement Award and being named the “Most Inspiring Leader – Retail (UAE)” at the Global Brand Awards.

Looking ahead, Dubai Duty Free will continue to maintain its busy events and promotional calendar which includes the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships to be staged at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium from February 19 to March 4.