Dubai Duty Free posts record US$1.128 billion half-year sales
Confectionery continued to demonstrate strong growth, with a 62.70% increase over the same period last year and accounting for 10% of total revenue
Dubai Duty Free today (July 2) announced record half-year sales performance posting a 5.34% year-on-year increase with turnover reaching AED4.118 billion (US$1.128 billion) for the first six months of 2025.
This exceeded last year’s previous record turnover for the first half of the year by AED208.95 million (US$ 57.24 million).
The airport retailer recorded robust growth in April, May and the first half of June, with sales buoyed by a surge in travel over the Eid holiday and the early summer travel season.
Ramesh Cidambi, Dubai Duty Free Managing Director, said, “We are very pleased with our record performance for the first half of 2025. Whilst we await the final passenger numbers for June 2025, the spend per passenger is likely to be better than last year June. This performance is a testament to our team’s hard work and the strength of Dubai as a global travel hub.”
The company remains optimistic for the second half of the year, with preparations underway for a busy summer and traditional busy last quarter.
“We are looking forward to an equally busy second half of the year. Plans are very much in place for the opening of three luxury boutiques in Terminal 3 Concourse A including Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Cartier,” Cidambi added.
Ramesh Cidambi: "This performance is a testament to our team’s hard work and the strength of Dubai as a global travel hub”
Perfumes, Liquor, Cigarettes & Tobacco, Gold and Confectionery retained the top five category positions. Perfume sales reached AED744.24 million (US$203.90 million), contributing 18% of total revenue and showing an increase of 5% over the same period last year. Liquor followed with sales of AED513.37 million (US$140.65 million), while Cigarettes & Tobacco saw a 12.24% increase year-on-year with sales of AED439.91 million (US$120.52 million). Gold sales amounted to AED416.90 million (US$114.22 million), contributing 10.12% of total revenue and an increase of 6.14%.
Confectionery continued to demonstrate strong growth, achieving AED412.52 million (US$113.02 million), marking a 62.70% increase over the same period last year and accounting for 10% of total revenue. Another notable increase was seen in Cosmetics, which rose by 3.36% to AED201.51 million (US$55.21 million) contributing 4.89% of total revenue.
Spending trends across terminals continued to increase with duty free sales in Terminal 3 increasing by 6.37% for the first half of the year, while Terminal 1 rose by 5.25%.
All key passenger regions showed positive sales during the first half of the year, with Europe up 16.89%, the Russian region up 4.41%, the Indian-sub continent up 1.02% and the Middle East up 8.15%.
Looking ahead, Dubai Duty Free said it will continue to enhance its retail operation following the successful renovations of its three Arrivals Shops in the first half of the year.
