Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dubai Duty Free ushered in the new year by announcing annual sales of Dhs6.339 billion ($1.74 billion) in 2022, representing a 78% increase over the previous year.

A sign that the operation was on track for a strong recovery after two challenging years was evident in August, when it recorded a 104% increase in sales for the first eight months of the year, when sales reached $1.06 billion.

December sales were further fueled by Dubai Duty Free’s 39th anniversary celebrations when the operation offered a 25% discount from the 18th - 20th December, which resulted in a shopping spree of Dhs107.3 million ($29.4 million) during the 72-hour period.

Reflecting on the year at Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, said: “We are thrilled to announce such a positive year as travel returns, during which the operation went from strength to strength. I would like to thank our Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, for his ongoing support and I join him in thanking our great team of staff, our suppliers and of course our customers, who are fundamental to our continued growth and success.”

The operation recorded over 17.3 million sales transactions throughout the year, or an average of 46,912 sales transactions per day, while a staggering 47.302 million units of merchandise were sold.

With sales of Dhs1.134 billion (US$310.66 million), Perfume, which contributed 18% of total sales retained its position as the top selling category. It was followed by Liquor, Gold, Cigarettes & Tobacco, and Electronics. Sales of Liquor reached Dhs1.021 billion (US$279.84 million) and accounted for 16% of the total annual sales.  Meanwhile, Gold recorded sales of Dhs629.292 million (US$172.41 million) and contributed 10% towards total revenue. Cigarettes & Tobacco came in fourth place with sales amounting to Dhs562.347 million (US$154.07 million) and accounted for 9% of total revenue while Electronics came in fifth place with sales of Dhs502.201 million (US$137.59 million) and accounted for 8% of total annual sales.