Dubai Duty Free sales surge 31pc to Dh1.9b

Dubai, July 21, 2008 (WAM) - Dubai Duty Free sales surged 31 per cent to Dh1.9 billion in first half of the year, giving it confidence to double that amount for the whole 2008, a company statement said yesterday. Perfumes topped the list with sales of Dh275.5 million (US$75 million), up 34 per cent from a year ago, while gold retained its third ranking with sales of Dh227.73 million. Sales from cosmetics increased by 39 per cent and electronics goods 28 per cent according to report by 'Khaleej Times.' 'We are well on track to exceed US$1 billion and that is a great achievement for all involved,' said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free. There are many exciting things lined up for the operation during the rest of this year which will culminate on our anniversary day on December 20."The company recently increased the number of its staff members to 3,000, or 50 per cent more than the previous number, in preparation for the new airport expansion at Dubai International Airport.

The opening of Concourse 2 and Terminal 3 will mean 10,000 square metres of additional space for Dubai Duty Free.

This year Dubai Duty Free will move to its new warehouse and distribution centre in Ramoul that began operating in June. The 27,000-square metre facility features a semi-automated retrieval and storage system, and is the largest of its kind in the Middle East. The company's new 6,000-square metre office is located next to the warehouse and also features training facilities and a purpose-built auditorium. The move to the new office is ongoing and will continue over the coming weeks. The statement said 2008 'promises to be a memorable year' for the company, which opened in 1983.