Dubai Duty Free reaches over US $20 million daily sales today

 The Dubai Duty Free celebrates its 28th anniversary today by offering its already traditional 25% discount on a wide range of items across many of its stores. The anniversary day offers travellers the chance to avail of this one-off offer of 25% discount across a rich variety of merchandise. The 25% discount offer begins at midnight on 19th December and will end at midnight on the 20th December.

According to executives, the tax free retailer is set to post higher ever sales not only for the day – today, but also higher amount than during its entire first year of operations 28 years ago.

“In 2010, when we offered 25% discount to mark our 27th anniversary on the 20th December, our sales soared to Dhs66.7m ($18.5m) so we are looking forward to seeing if that figure can be topped this year,” added Mr. McLoughlin.

Total daily sales are expected to reach US $20 million, as travellers take advantage of the 25% discount to complete their  holiday shopping ahead of  Christmas.

By 1pm UAE time today, the Dubai Duty Free had already passed Dhs55 million (US$15 million) in sales.

The company is also heading for another record year for turnover. So far, the sales are 15.5% up on 2010, which means that the total revenue could reach approximately US $1.46 billion by December 31.

 Increased traffic has helped the business in 2011; last year it was 47 million, and this year it will reach 51 million.

When Dubai Duty Free opened for business on 20th December 1983, the operation had 100 employees, 48 of whom are still in active service and are referred to as the ‘pioneers’. The operation currently employs over 4,000 staff comprising of 47 different nationalities.