Dubai Duty Free announced continued growth in its monthly sales, recording AED 646.23 million (USD 177 million) in August, up 15% compared to the same month in 2024, which stood at AED 561.53 million (USD 153.84 million).
Year-to-Date Sales Performance
According to the Dubai Government Media Office, Dubai Duty Free’s sales reached AED 5.4 billion (USD 1.48 billion) from January through August 2025, marking a 6.93% year-on-year increase.
The average daily sales in August amounted to AED 20.8 million (USD 5.70 million), with an estimated 275,000 passengers per day passing through.
The data showed that average passenger spending increased by around USD 4 per departing passenger, along with at least a half-percentage point rise in purchase frequency compared to August 2024.
Best-Performing Product Categories in August 2025
- Sweet products: +68.9%
- Gold jewelry: +28.6%
- Perfumes: +13.1%
- Cigarettes & tobacco: +11.1%
- Electronics: +2.3%
Other categories also recorded strong gains:
- Millennium Millionaire draw tickets: +33.7%
- Wristwatches: +17.7%
- Fine jewelry: +24.2%
- Cosmetics: +8.9%
Luxury Retail Segment
The average number of daily transactions in luxury brand stores rose to 254 transactions, compared to 237 in August 2024. Meanwhile, the average value per transaction increased to AED 8,004, up from AED 7,748 last year.
Sales Growth by Passenger Markets
The strongest sales momentum was recorded among passengers traveling to:
- United States: +27.9%
- Middle East: +19.8%
- Indian Subcontinent: +17.0%
- Africa: +15.3%
- Europe: +13.5%
- Australia, New Zealand & Pacific Islands: +9.5%
- Far East: +9.2%
- Russian region: +3.3%
These figures reflect Dubai’s strength as a global shopping destination, with Dubai Duty Free evolving beyond traditional retail into a diverse consumer hub catering to a wide spectrum of travelers. With rising average spend per passenger and expanding luxury sales, Dubai Duty Free continues to cement its position as one of the world’s leading airport retail markets.
