Dubai Duty Free sales up by 11%
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Dubai Duty Free (DDF) recorded positive and increased figures for the month of October. 
The company is looking to achieve double digit sales growth for the year as sales up to the end of October reached AED4.71 billion (US$1.29bn), representing an 11% increase over 2011. The latest sales figures put the operation on track for year-end sales of an estimated AED6bn (US$1.6bn).
The Perfumes category, which accounts for 15% of total sales at Dubai Duty Free was the topper as sales rose to AED727 million (US$199m) in the ten-month period. All three Terminals showed positive figures for both departing and arriving passengers: (YTD) Terminal 1 has recorded a 9% increase, while Terminal 2 has shown an impressive 16% increase. Terminal 3, which is dedicated to Emirates Airline, has seen sales grow by 12% while Arrival sales across all Terminals was up by 15%.
Commenting on year to date sales, Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman of Dubai Duty Free said: “I am pleased that our sale per head, which is around US$49, and our penetration level of close to 50%, continues to be so strong.”
Increases were seen in Confectionery which rose by 18% to AED377m (US$103m) while Electronics showed an 11% increase to AED367m (US$100m). The Watch category was up by 11% and registered sales of AED311m (US$85m) and Cosmetics rose by 17% with sales of AED299m (US$82m).
Subcontinent passengers make up the biggest group of spenders, accounting for 24% of total sales at Dubai Duty Free, followed by Far Eastern passengers, primarily Chinese, who account for 19% of sales. Despite the economic gloom in Europe, European passengers come in third place as the highest spenders, accounting for 16.4% of sales, with Middle Eastern passengers following closely behind accounting for 16% of sales. African-bound passengers make up 12% of sales, with Russian travelers accounting for 7% of sales.
