Strong February performance buoys Dubai Duty Free sales in first quarter

UAE. Dubai Duty Free has announced first-quarter sales of Dhs2.06 billion (US$565 million), driven partly by a record monthly high of Dhs709 million (US$194 million) in February.

Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi said: “We are very pleased with our sales for the first three months of the year, especially in February when daily sales reached an average of Dhs25.3 million (US$6.93 million) and kept pace with passenger growth. A lot of credit goes to our hard-working team of staff who achieve sales targets on an ongoing basis.”

Perfumes, liquor, tobacco, gold and confectionery held the top five spots category-wise with perfume sales reaching Dhs371 million (US$102 million) and contributing 18% of total revenue.

Liquor followed with sales of Dhs258 million (US$71 million), while tobacco increased by +11% over the same period last year with sales amounting to Dhs220 million (US$60 million).

Gold increased marginally with sales amounting to Dhs212 million (US$58 million), contributing 10% of total revenue.

Confectionery showed robust growth, taking the fifth spot for the first time with a +57% increase over the same period last year, with sales reaching Dhs207 million (US$57 million) and contributing 10% of total revenue.

“The remarkable success of the ‘Dubai’ chocolate offering has contributed significantly to the surge in the confectionery category with speciality brands such as Fix Chocolate, Locali, I Love Dubai, Bateel and Al Nassma collectively generated sales of Dhs80.4 million (US$22 million). That figure represents over 1.2 million individual chocolate bars sold in the first quarter of 2025,” added Cidambi.

In addition, recent renovations of the arrivals shops led to sales in this channel hitting Dhs125 million (US$34 million) in the first quarter.

“We are very pleased with the newly renovated and refurbished retail shops in terminals 1 and 2 arrivals with Terminal 3 Arrivals Shop 4 due for completion next month. These enhancements are already elevating our arrivals business and strengthening the liquor category,” said Cidambi.

Looking ahead, Dubai Duty Free will continue to enhance its retail offering throughout 2025, with the opening of boutiques in Concourse A featuring luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Chanel.

The events calendar includes the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials taking place at the Newbury Racecourse in the UK on 11-12 April, followed by the UAE Nationals Cup taking place at The Montgomerie Golf Club on 3 May.