DDF Group records $1.933bn turnover in 2015

The Dubai Duty Free (DDF) group, including the airport retail operation and its leisure division, announced turnover of $1.933 billion for 2015. This figure includes DDF sales that reached $1.888 billion for the year.

Operating at both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International DDF recorded its highest sales for the year in December 2015 when figures reached $197.77 million fueled by its 32nd anniversary celebrations when the operation offered a 25% discount across a wide range of merchandise from the December 18-20, recording $27.22 million on the anniversary day itself (December 20). Over the three days, the cash registers recorded a total of 402,000 sales transactions with nearly 207,000 sales transactions alone on December 20.

“Overall, it has been a very good year and I would like to thank HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and DDF chairman, for his on-going support and I join His Highness in thanking our great team of staff, our suppliers and of course our customers, who are fundamental to our continued growth,” DDF executive vice chairman Colm McLoughlin.

DDF recorded an impressive 26,848,832 sales transactions in 2015, which is an average of 73,558 sales transactions per day across both Dubai International and at Al Maktoum International.

Category wise, perfumes continued to be the highest selling category with annual sales topping $311.58 million that represents 16.50% of total annual sales. Liquor and cigarettes followed, with sales of $293 million and $161.55 million, respectively. Confectionery ranked fourth with sales amounting to $152.37 million followed by gold with $150.50 million.

Departure sales, which account for 87% of the total annual sales reached $1.640 billion, while arrivals sales showed a 6% increase over last year and accounted for 11% of the total annual sales. Moreover, Terminal 2 recorded an 18% increase in sales over last year reaching $175.21 million.

“There is a lot to look forward to in the new year, including the opening of Concourse D at Dubai International, a fantastic facility that will be very well received. We have a 7,000 sqm (75,347 sqft) retail operation in Concourse D and will be introducing some new brands and concepts there,” McLoughlin shares.