Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has achieved a remarkable milestone in August 2025, recording sales of AED 646.23 million (approximately USD 177 million). This marks a 15% increase compared to August 2024 and surpasses the previous August record set in 2018 by nearly 10%. The surge in sales reflects a robust recovery in travel retail and a growing appetite among UAE shoppers for premium products.
Record-Breaking Sales Performance
In August, Dubai Duty Free handled an average of 275,000 passengers daily, with daily sales reaching AED 20.8 million (USD 5.7 million). Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi expressed his satisfaction with the performance, stating, “August’s record adds to an impressive streak earlier this year, and sales have outpaced passenger growth by about 9%—a testament to the dedication of our team.”
Top-Selling Categories
Several product categories contributed significantly to the sales growth:
- Confectionery: Sales surged by nearly 69%, indicating a strong preference for chocolates and sweets among travelers.
- Gold: Experienced a 28.5% increase in sales, reflecting continued demand for precious metals.
- Perfumes: Sales rose by 13%, highlighting the popularity of fragrances.
- Cigarettes and Tobacco: Saw an 11% growth, consistent with previous trends.
- Watches: Recorded a 17.7% increase, showcasing interest in timepieces.
- Precious Jewellery: Sales grew by 24%, indicating a penchant for luxury accessories.
- Cosmetics: Experienced a 9% rise in sales.
- Liquor: Saw a modest 3% increase.
- Electronics: Recorded a 2.3% growth.
Even without the exceptional performance of confectionery, the top ten categories collectively grew by 10.4%, underscoring strong demand across Dubai Duty Free’s diverse offerings.
Luxury Boutiques Shine
Dubai Duty Free’s luxury boutiques in Terminal 3 have been performing exceptionally well. Fashion stores in Concourses A and B reported a 10.86% growth compared to the previous year. Notably, brands like Cartier experienced a significant 29.33% increase in sales. The average daily boutique transactions rose to 254, with the average spend per transaction increasing to AED 8,004 from AED 7,748.
Terminal-wise Performance
All major terminals at Dubai International Airport (DXB) showed strong sales growth:
- Concourses A and B: Both recorded a 17% increase in sales.
- Concourse C: Saw a 16.45% rise.
- Concourse D: Experienced a 7.91% growth.
- Terminal 2 Departures: Increased by 13.6%.
- Al Maktoum International Airport: Remarkably surged by 56.91%.
- Arrivals Shops: Even with increased competition, sales grew by 11.72%.
International Shopper Trends
Dubai Duty Free’s international reach was also evident, with shoppers from various regions contributing to the sales growth:
- United States: Led with a 27.94% increase.
- Middle East: Saw a 19.78% rise.
- Indian Subcontinent: Experienced a 17% growth.
- Africa: Recorded a 15.28% increase.
- Europe: Saw a 13.46% rise.
- Australasia: Experienced a 9.49% growth.
- Far East: Recorded a 9.15% increase.
- Russia: Saw a 3.26% rise.
Looking Ahead
Dubai Duty Free is not resting on its laurels. The company plans to open a new Louis Vuitton boutique in Concourse A later this week, followed by a Cartier boutique by the end of September. Additionally, Concourse A will introduce the ‘Gifts from Dubai’ concept store by December, promising a more immersive shopping experience for travelers and residents alike.
With year-to-date sales reaching AED 5.4 billion (USD 1.48 billion), marking a 6.93% rise from the previous year, Dubai Duty Free continues to redefine the airport shopping experience. For UAE residents and travelers, it stands as a testament to the evolution of airports from mere transit hubs to premier shopping destinations.
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