Latest news with #RameshCidambi
Gulf Business
12 minutes 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
ARN News Center
05-05-2025
- Business
- ARN News Center
'Dubai chocolate' accounts for 4% of Dubai Duty Free's April revenue
Dubai's viral pistachio-filled chocolate bars are driving up revenue at Dubai Duty Free, accounting for 4 per cent of the total business in April. Speaking to Dubai Eye 103.8's Business Breakfast show, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free Ramesh Cidambi said the chocolate represents 40 per cent of all confectionery sales during the month. In April, Dubai Duty Free welcomed sales worth AED713 million ($195.4 million), representing an 18 per cent increase over the same period the previous year. The revenue positions April as the fourth best month on record for the airport retailer since operations began. Originally launched by Fix in 2021, the Kunafa chocolate trend has gone viral with multiple brands offering its versions, even contributing to a global pistachio shortage. At Dubai Duty Free, Chidami said at least five brands are offering the chocolate bars to meet the 1 million daily sale.
Arabian Business
01-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai Duty Free sales pass $195m in April; top spenders and products revealed as viral Dubai chocolate sells AED1m a day
Dubai Duty Free has announced that sales in April reached AED713m ($195.4m), marking a new record for the month of April. It represents an 18 per cent increase over April 2024 and positions April 2025 as the fourth best month on record for the airport retailer since operations began. Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said: 'November and December 2024 were record months, joined by January 2025, so it is great to see that April sales are in the top four monthly sales rankings now. Dubai Duty Free sales 'April was a busy month passenger-wise with Eid holidays, Easter and the Arabian Travel Market pushing up passenger numbers. However, as far as we know, sales outstripped passenger numbers, which is a very positive indicator for us'. In April, the top five product categories sold were perfumes, liquor, tobacco, gold and confectionery: Perfume sales reached AED128.72m ($35.26m) contributing 18 per cent of total revenue and showing an increase of 16 per cent over the same month last year Liquor followed closely with sales of AED92.5m ($25.34m) an increase of 13 per cent Tobacco saw a 25 per cent increase year-on-year with sales of AED73.95m ($20.26m) Gold sales amounted to AED71.57m ($19.61m), contributing 10 per cent of total revenue and an increase of 35 per cent Confectionery continued to demonstrate strong growth, achieving AED69.54m ($19.05m), marking an 84 per cent increase from the same month last year and accounting for 10 per cent of total revenue The Fashion boutiques in Terminal 3's Concourse A and B combined outperformed their sales from last April, recording a 12 per cent increase. This is notable, considering that these boutiques have been lagging in sales since the first quarter of 2024. The Preloved luxury segment, which is available in the airport retailer's Reklaim outlets, delivered impressive results of AED9m ($2.4m) since it was introduced in December 2024 of which AED3.52m ($970,000) was generated in April alone. Meanwhile, the viral Dubai chocolate continued its remarkable success story with sales hitting AED28.6m ($7.84m) in April, which is an average of AED1m ($274,000) sales per day. Other notable performers include ticket sales for the milestone Dubai Duty Free Millenniummaire Series 500, which was sold out within a record 7 days, underscoring strong demand for this popular promotion and adding to the total Millenniummaire sales for April of AED21m ($ 5.26m). Cidambi said: 'This robust performance can be seen across all categories both in-store and online, with online sales increasing by 3 per cent in April. We are also seeing an increase in the average passenger spend and that is also very encouraging'. Sales in Departures across the operation reached AED638.27m ($174.87m) representing 90 per cent of total monthly sales and an increase of 19 per cent compared to the same period last year. Arrivals sales reached AED51.22m ($14.04m), representing 7 per cent of total sales and an increase of 17 per cent over April last year. In terms of top source markets for Dubai Duty Free:
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai Duty Free achieves record Dhs713mln sales in April – Fourth best month ever
Dubai Duty Free has announced that sales in April reached a remarkable Dhs713 million (US$195.4 million), marking a new record for the month of April. This represents an 18% increase over April 2024 and positions April as the fourth best month on record for the airport retailer since operations began. Commenting on the April figures, Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said, 'November and December 2024 were record months, joined by January 2025, so it is great to see that April sales are in the top four monthly sales rankings now. April was a busy month passenger-wise with Eid holidays, Easter and the Arabian Travel Market pushing up passenger numbers. However, as far as we know, sales outstripped passenger numbers, which is a very positive indicator for us'. In April, the top five product categories sold were Perfumes, Liquor, Tobacco, Gold and Confectionery. Perfume sales reached Dhs128.72 million (US$35.26 million) contributing 18% of total revenue and showing an increase of 16% over the same month last year. Liquor followed closely with sales of Dhs92.50 million (US$25.34 million) an increase of 13%, while Tobacco saw a 25% increase year-on-year with sales of Dhs73.95 million (US$20.26 million). Gold sales amounted to Dhs71.57 million (US$19.61 million), contributing 10% of total revenue and an increase of 35%. Confectionery continued to demonstrate strong growth, achieving Dhs69.54 million (US$19.05 million), marking an 84% increase from the same month last year and accounting for 10% of total revenue. The Fashion boutiques in Terminal 3's Concourse A and B combined outperformed their sales from last April, recording a 12% increase. This is notable, considering that these boutiques have been lagging in sales since the first quarter of 2024. The Preloved luxury segment, which is available in the airport retailer's Reklaim outlets, delivered impressive results of Dhs9 million since it was introduced in December 2024 of which Dhs3.52 million (US$ 0.97 million) was generated in April alone. Meanwhile, the viral Dubai chocolate continued its remarkable success story with sales hitting Dhs28.60 million (US$7.84 million) in April, which is an average of Dhs1 million (US$274,000) sales per day. Other notable performers include ticket sales for the milestone Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Series 500, which was sold out within a record 7 days, underscoring strong demand for this popular promotion and adding to the total Millennium Millionaire sales for April of Dhs21 million (US$ 5.26 million). 'This robust performance can be seen across all categories both in-store and online, with online sales increasing by 3% in April. We are also seeing an increase in the average passenger spend and that is also very encouraging,' said Cidambi. Sales in Departures across the operation reached Dhs638.27 million (US$174.87 million) representing 90% of total monthly sales and an increase of 19% compared to the same period last year, while Arrivals sales reached Dhs51.22 million (US$14.04 million), representing 7% of total sales and an increase of 17% over April last year. In terms of top source markets for Dubai Duty Free, India is number one with Dhs72.14 million (US$19.76 million) sales, followed by Russia with Dhs54.62 million (US$14.97 million), Saudi Arabia with Dhs51.23 million (US$14.03 million), China with Dhs39.25 million (US$10.75 million), and the UK in fifth place with sales of Dhs36.19 million (US$9.92 million).
Hi Dubai
29-04-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Duty Free Wins Best Duty Free Shopping in Middle East for 24th Year
Dubai Duty Free has once again been named the Best Duty Free Shopping in the Middle East, marking its 24th consecutive win at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards held on April 28 at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. The long-running recognition reflects Dubai Duty Free's consistent excellence in retail, having topped the Business Traveller magazine's reader and online survey, which ran from February 4 to March 7. The award saw the retailer beat competitors from Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. The BTME Awards, established in 2002 and organised by Motivate Media Group and Ink, celebrate outstanding performance across 40 categories spanning airlines, airports and hotels. This year's ceremony coincided with the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market and drew more than 300 industry guests. Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, accepted the award alongside Senior Vice President – Marketing, Sinead El Sibai. 'We are truly honoured to be recognised for a record 24 consecutive years,' said Cidambi. 'It is incredible to think that we have been the recipient of this award every year since they were introduced.' He also extended his gratitude to those who voted and praised the Dubai Duty Free team for their dedication, joining Chairman HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in commending their ongoing efforts. The award was presented by Anthony Milne, Chief Commercial Officer at Motivate Media Group, underscoring the retailer's enduring impact on regional travel retail. News Source: Dubai Media Office
