Dubai Duty Free is on track to surpass $2 billion in annual sales by the end of 2024, buoyed by an impressive performance in November. The retailer reported sales of $1.94 billion through the first 11 months, setting the stage for a record-breaking year.
In November alone, Dubai Duty Free generated $205.67 million in revenue, making it the fifth-highest monthly sales figure in its history. Significant milestones during the month included a daily sales record of $8.46 million on November 30, followed closely by $8.24 million on November 29, marking the third-best daily performance to date.
“I am very happy with the sales performance in November, which was against tough trading conditions including the sales in boutiques for the major fashion brands being lower than last year and refurbishment projects in the Arrivals shops in all three terminals,” said Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi. He further highlighted the team’s strategic focus: “We have had a major focus on driving sales in recent months, and I am pleased with the huge effort made to reduce the gap between the budgeted spend per passenger and actual spend.”
Perfumes emerged as the top-performing category, contributing $362 million in sales—an impressive 10% increase from 2023. Other strong performers included Liquor, with $258.37 million in revenue; Tobacco, which rose 8% to $200.52 million; Gold, up 2% to $194.57 million; and Electronics, which generated $134 million.
Looking ahead, Dubai Duty Free is gearing up for a busy holiday season, including its 41st Anniversary celebrations on December 20. As part of the festivities, customers can enjoy a 25% discount on a wide range of products both in-store and online during a special pre-Christmas promotion.
“Thanks to the continuous effort of our entire team, I look forward to another great month in December as we head into a busy holiday season and expect to close the year with excellent results,” added Cidambi.
With robust sales across its key product categories and a strategic push during the festive period, Dubai Duty Free is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious $2 billion sales target, reinforcing its status as a global leader in airport retail.
