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Gulf Business
a day ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Dubai Duty Free's May sales top Dhs724.7m; here's what travellers are buying
Image: Dubai Media office/ DDF The result also makes it the second-highest sales month ever for a non-December period, trailing only behind November 2024, and landing ninth in all-time top monthly sales. Commenting on the May figures, Ramesh Cidambi, MD of Dubai Duty Free said, 'May continued the strong growth story of 2025 and I am especially happy that the increase in sales was seen in many of the major categories. As of May 31, our revenue has exceeded Dhs3.5bn ($1bn), reflecting a year-to-date growth of nearly 6.5 per cent.' Here are 10 standout figures that highlight Dubai Duty Free's success in May: 1. Dhs724.7m in sales – and counting: The retail powerhouse raked in nearly$200m in May alone, making it 2025's strongest month to date. 2. Year-to-date revenue crosses $1bn: By May 31, DDF reported revenue of over Dhs3.5 bn ($1bn), with 6.5 per cent year-to-date growth 3. Sales growth outpaces footfall: Despite average daily traffic of 242,000 passengers, DDF's May sales growth outpaced traffic estimates by 7–8 per cent, based on internal projections. 4. Shoppers are spending more: Average spend per departing passenger hit US$46.7, up $3 from last year. Penetration rate (shoppers versus total passengers) also rose to 28 per cent, compared to 26.3 per cent in May 2024. 5. Sweet success: Confectionery up 81 per cent: Fuelled by the runaway popularity of 'Dubai chocolate', confectionery sales hit Dhs73.9m ($20.2m) – the biggest percentage gain of all categories. 6. Perfumes, tobacco, and gold shine bright: Perfumes: Dhs132.8m ($36.4m), +15 per cent Tobacco: Dhs77.m ($21.3m), +14.4 per cent Gold: Dhs70.7m ($19.4m), +11.65 per cent 7. Precious jewellery sparkles with 31.75 per cent gain: Sales in this luxury category climbed to Dhs20.2m ($5.5m), proving that high-spending travellers are still splurging. 8. Fashion and electronics remain steady: Fashion boutique sales grew 4.7 per cent to Dhs71.3m ($19.5m), while electronics saw a 5.4 per cent lift, reaching Dhs41.7m ($11.4m). 9. Terminal 2 Departures takes the crown: While Concourse B (T3) led major concourses with 17.5 per cent growth, Terminal 2 Departures posted the strongest overall gain at 20.8 per cent year-on-year. 10. Europe leads regional spenders: Passenger sales by region all showed growth: Europe: +25.9 per cent Russian region & Middle East: both +14 per cent Far East: +5.2 per cent Indian subcontinent: +4 per cent, despite recent travel disruptions Cidambi credited the growth to strong staff performance and broad-based category gains: 'These positive results are a direct reflection of the commitment and excellence shown by our entire team,' he said. With momentum building and half the year still ahead, the
Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Dubai lottery: Kerala man claims $1 million prize again, Pakistani winner unreachable
An Indian expat living in Dubai has won the $1 million jackpot lottery for a second time in less than ten years. Paul Jose Mavely, a 60-year-old from Kerala, has once again struck gold in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw, while a Pakistani winner remains unaware of his fortune as organisers have been unable to reach him. Mavely, won the Millennium Millionaire Series 503 with ticket number 3532, purchased online on 19 May, Dubai Duty Free (DDF) announced on Wednesday. Mavely, who has lived in Dubai for 38 years, previously won the same prize in November 2016, making him only the 11th person to win twice in the history of the promotion. Read | Kerala man, raised by single mother, wins ₹ 71 crore in lottery after years of financial struggle In 2016, he shared the ticket cost and prize money with nine friends. This time, he shared the ticket cost with 17 friends who have been taking part in the Dubai Duty Free draws since 1999, rotating names on the ticket among the group. Mavely is a father of two and works as a site supervisor for a small contracting company. Overwhelmed with happiness, he told Gulf News: 'I'm very thankful to Dubai Duty Free for this second win in your amazing promotion.' Read | Woman wins ₹ 40 lakh lottery in US – all thanks to numbers she saw in a dream Meanwhile, Kiran Batool, a Pakistani national living in Saudi Arabia, won $1 million in Series 502 with ticket number 2252, bought online on 5 May. However, organisers have not been able to contact him and he remains unaware of his win. Mr Batool is the 27th Pakistani national to win the draw since it began in 1999, DDF said. The Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire is a lottery scheme launched in 1999, offering participants the chance to win US\$1 million. Each draw is capped at 5,000 tickets, improving the odds for entrants. Read | 'Someone gave me $10 for pumpkin...,' North Carolina man wins ₹ 1 crore lottery prize, credits luck to pumpkin sales Tickets are priced at AED 1,000 (approximately ₹ 22,700), excluding 5% VAT, and can be purchased either at duty-free shops in Dubai International Airport or online via the Dubai Duty Free website. The draw takes place twice a month and is open to all nationalities, with no requirement to be present in Dubai at the time of the draw. Since its launch, 251 Indians have won this lottery.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kerala man wins Rs 8.5 crore jackpot in Dubai Duty Free draw after 15 years of trying
KASARAGOD: Indian expat Venugopal Mullacheri, a Kerala native hailing from Kasaragod, has struck gold by winning the USD 1 million (around Rs 8.5 crore) Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw . Mullacheri had been trying his luck for 15 years and used to purchase the DDF Millennium Millionaire draw tickets during his travel home. The 52- year- old Ajman resident had been working as IT support specialist in UAE for the last 15 years. His winning ticket was purchased on April 23 at the Arrivals shop in Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 while returning from Kasaragod. Mullacheri, a father of two, told media that he was in disbelief when his name was announced during the live draw streamed on DDF's Facebook page on May 7. "I'm thrilled to finally be one of the many winners it has created. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free,' he said. "It felt like a massive burden on my head and shoulders just vanished," he added in a media interview.
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Kerala man says $1 million Dubai jackpot came as a lifesaver: ‘I was betrayed by someone'
For an Indian expat living in the UAE, winning the $1 million jackpot in Dubai Duty Free's (DDF) Millennium Millionaire draw has come as a huge blessing. Venugopal Mullacheri, 52, says the winnings will help him pay off his huge debts. "The win marks the end of a difficult chapter and the beginning of a new one filled with hope and happiness," Mullacheri told Khaleej Times. Mullacheri, a 52-year-old father of two from Kerala, had been trying his luck at the lottery for over 15 years before he finally won the big prize, which will make him richer by $1 million ( ₹8.3 crore approximately). 'When they announced my name, I was shocked,' said Mullacheri, who works as an IT-support specialist in the UAE. 'It felt like a massive burden on my head and shoulders just vanished. I couldn't even respond to what I was seeing, and when they called me, I was dumbfounded.' A resident of Ajman, Mullacheri purchased the winning ticket on April 23 at the airport after visiting family in India. It turned him into the 500th winner of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw. In a conversation with Khaleej Times, the Kerala native said he had been struggling to pay off his extensive debts. He also said he had experienced financial difficulties after facing a betrayal from someone he trusted. 'I am in huge debt,' said Mullacheri. 'Now, I must say I 'was' in huge debt.' 'I had recently built a house and was also betrayed by someone I trusted, which caused a major financial setback. This win truly came as a saviour,' he explained. The IT support specialist had been buying Millennium Millionaire tickets for 15 years. He now plans to spend the money on not just paying off his debts but also on a vacation. 'I haven't decided what to do with the money yet,' he said. 'But first, I'll take a long vacation and spend time with my family. Then I plan to return to the UAE and possibly start a business. This country is very close to my heart; I can't imagine living anywhere else. I also hope to bring my family here once things settle down.'
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Indian-origin man wins ₹8.3 crore in Dubai after trying for 15 years: ‘I couldn't even respond'
An Indian expat living in the UAE has struck it big by winning $1 million (approximately ₹8.3 crore) in Dubai Duty Free's (DDF) Millennium Millionaire draw, marking his victory as the 500th in the promotion's history. Venugopal Mullacheri, a 52-year-old father of two from Kerala, had been trying his luck for over 15 years before finally landing the life-changing prize, reported the Gulf News. Mullacheri, who works in IT support in Ajman, was watching the live draw on Dubai Duty Free's Facebook page when he was announced as the winner. His ticket number 1163, purchased at the Terminal 2 Arrivals shop on April 23, made him the lucky winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 500. 'I'm delighted to become the 500th winner of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire,' Mullacheri said after hearing the news. 'I'm thrilled to finally be one of the many winners it has created. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free.' Also read: 26-year-old woman drops out of PhD to chaperone dogs at weddings, earns ₹22,000 a day Expressing disbelief at winning, he said, "I couldn't even respond". Mullacheri's win is part of a long-standing tradition, with Indian nationals being the most frequent purchasers of tickets since the promotion began in 1999. His win also marks a special milestone in the history of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire, as he is the 249th Indian national to win the $1 million prize. A post shared by Dubai Duty Free (@dubaidutyfree) The celebratory draw was held at Dubai International Airport's Concourse B, with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, attending the event. Alongside him were Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, and other senior officials from the company. 'This promotion has changed people's lives,' said Cidambi. 'Congratulations to Mr. Mullacheri, our 500th US$1 million winner, and to all of our many winners over the years.' Since its inception in 1999, the Millennium Millionaire draw has had a transformative impact on the lives of countless participants, with Mullacheri now among them. Also read: Michelle Obama shows off dance moves ahead of her podcast, internet echoes 'queen'
