Dubai Duty Free (DDF) recently announced record annual sales of 888 million Emirati dirhams ($244 million) over the year 2001, representing an 11 percent increase over sales the previous year. The year-end results place DDF among the top seven airport retail operations in the world in terms of turnover, reported a press release.
“2001 was on track for being a record year with shopfloor sales consistently higher than the previous year. Despite the impact of global events, the operation has shown significant increases across all sectors and we aim to retain this trend in 2002,” stated President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.
The increase includes a rise in sales of electronic goods, which leapt by 40 percent over the previous year. The electronics category now accounts for 11 percent of total sales and is a close contender for the number one spot, which is traditionally retained by Gold. In 2001, DDF gold sales reached an all time high of Dh106.2 million ($28 million).
In November 2001, DDF teamed up with the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation to launch a $2.5 million advertising campaign on CNN International. The campaign, which features a series of 24 mini-documentaries aimed at raising awareness of Dubai's rich cultural heritage will run over two years and will reach a TV audience of over 240 million.
Bringing the year to a close in December, the operation joined forces with American Express to launch a co-branded credit card that offered card members a host of unique benefits including a 10 percent discount on a huge range of duty free products.
DDF began operations in December 1983 and recorded a first full year turnover of Dh72 million ($20 million). The operation currently employs over 970 staff. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
