Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has reported a remarkable sales performance in May 2025, achieving AED 724.7 million ($198.5 million) in revenue. This figure represents a 12.5% increase compared to May 2024, marking it as the highest monthly sales figure recorded this year and the second-highest for a non-December period in the company’s history .
Key Highlights
Daily Sales and Shopper Engagement: Average daily sales reached AED 23.3 million ($6.38 million). The percentage of travelers making purchases rose to 28%, up from 26.3% in May 2024. Additionally, average spending per departing passenger increased by AED 11 ($3) year-on-year.
Product Category Growth:
- Confectionery: Sales surged by 81%, totaling AED 73.9 million ($20.2 million), largely driven by the popularity of the “Dubai Chocolate.”
- Perfumes: Revenue reached AED 132.8 million ($36.4 million), a 15% increase from the previous year.
- Cosmetics: Sales grew by 10.8%, amounting to AED 35.2 million ($9.6 million).
- Cigarettes and Tobacco: Sales increased by 14.4%, totaling AED 77.6 million ($21.3 million).
- Gold: Revenue rose by 11.65% to AED 70.7 million ($19.4 million).
- Precious Jewellery: Sales experienced a 31.75% increase, reaching AED 20.2 million ($5.5 million).
- Fashion: Sales grew by 4.7%, totaling AED 71.3 million ($19.5 million).
- Liquor: Revenue increased by nearly 4% to AED 89.9 million ($24.6 million).
- Electronics: Sales rose by 5.4%, amounting to AED 41.7 million ($11.4 million).
Terminal Performance:
- Concourse B (Terminal 3): Led growth with a 17.5% increase.
- Concourse D (Terminal 1): Experienced a 10.7% rise.
- Concourse A: Saw a 7.8% increase.
- Concourse C: Recorded nearly a 1% growth.
Regional Sales Growth:
- Europe: Sales increased by 25.9%.
- Russia and Middle East: Both regions saw a 14% rise.
- Far East: Experienced a 5.2% increase.
- Indian Subcontinent: Sales grew by 4%, despite recent travel disruptions.
- Terminal 2 Departures: Achieved a 20.8% year-on-year increase.
- Arrivals Stores: Across all terminals, these stores combined for a 6.25% growth following renovations.
As of May 31, DDF’s year-to-date revenue has exceeded AED 3.5 billion ($1 billion), reflecting a growth of nearly 6.5% compared to the same period last year. Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi attributed this success to the dedication and excellence of the entire DDF team .
This performance underscores DDF’s resilience and its pivotal role in enhancing Dubai’s position as a global travel and retail hub.
