Abu Dhabi Airports has announced that Abu Dhabi Airport Duty Free achieved sales exceeding Dh1 billion in 2014, closing the year at Dh1.009 billion, representing a rise of 10.5% versus 2013, which stood at Dh912.9 million.
Abu Dhabi Airports' Chairman, Ali Majed Al Mansoori, said, "This significant milestone confirms that we are providing passengers with the diverse services and offerings they expect at a major international airport and reflects the incredible growth in passengers which is largely driven by the success of the national airline, Etihad Airways." A number of new retail stores opened in 2014, including 2 new multi-category Duty Free stores, a new 253m2 award-winning Fragrance Boutique in Terminal 3, refurbished core duty free stores on the Terminal 1 Upper Level, and several initiatives, including a new Wellness Spa and Minimart outlet.
Beauty and Fragrance emerged as the biggest selling product categories in 2014, with a 31% share of Duty Free turnover increasing sales by 9.7% over 2013. Indian, Chinese and Emirati passengers continued to account for the highest share of sales at the airport (36%). In addition, passenger spending registered an increase throughout the year.
Al Mansoori added, "To achieve an increase in average spend per head amid refurbishment works and new store installations is always challenging, however, we continue to align our range of products more closely to the passenger demographic. This has played a big part in driving sales beyond the Dh1 billion mark." Abu Dhabi Airports has rolled out a variety of new food and beverage concepts to ensure its passengers arrive and depart feeling happy and refreshed. Many of the world's leading brands and retailers are expected to submit bids for the Midfield Terminal Building, which is making rapid progress and will have an annual capacity of 30 million when it opens in 2017.
Ali Majed Al Mansoori concluded, "Abu Dhabi Duty Free will continue to focus on improving our customer experience with phase 2 of our retail and food & beverage refurbishment programme that will enable us to offer the widest choice to our passengers, exclusive offers and product launches, innovative promotional campaigns, great value and excellent customer service, which will all contribute to the further growth of Abu Dhabi."
Source: WAM