Dubai Duty Free sales rose more than 10 per cent in the first quarter on the back of a significant expansion in the airport retailer's footprint.
Sales reached Dh1.6 billion (US$435.6 million) in the period, a 12 per cent increase on last year.
Colm McLoughlin, the executive vice chairman of Dubai Duty Free, attributed the rise in part to Terminal 3's new Concourse A, which opened in January, adding 8,000 square metres to the retailer's space, which now stands at a total of 26,000 sq metres.
"We have had a very good start to the year and no doubt the opening of Concourse A has contributed towards this," he said.
"The new facility has been extremely well received by passengers and it has enabled us to introduce a number of firsts, including a retail offer in the Emirates First Class lounge in Concourse A, which is doing very well.
"We have also been able to extend our existing product range and introduce some new brands, some of which are unique in the region."
Sales in Terminal 3, which accounts for the largest portion of sales at 61 per cent of total turnover, rose by 19 per cent.
However, the average spending of passengers passing through Terminal 1, which accounts for 31 per cent of sales, is higher.
And sales in Terminal 2 rose 22 per cent. The top three sellers in the first quarter were liquor, perfume and gold, although there were significant increases in a number of categories.
Sales of perfumes and confectionery both rose 16 per cent, while there was a 12 per cent increase in electronics, a 13 per cent rise in cosmetics and a 23 per cent increase in sales of watches.
A total of 648 new sales assistants were appointed in the first quarter, bringing the total staff to 5,717.
gduncan@thenational.ae