Dubai Duty Free (DDF) achieved impressive sales of AED 638.8 million (US$175 million) in July 2025, pushing its year-to-date sales to AED 4.734 billion (US$1.30 billion). This represents a 5.86% increase compared to the same period last year. The July sales broke the previous record set in 2023 and ranked as the 9th highest month in DDF’s history. Notably, this growth occurred despite passenger numbers growing by only 2.3% in the first half of the year.
Strong Growth Across Product Categories
The top-selling categories for July included Perfumes, Liquor, Gold, Tobacco, and Confectionery. Perfume sales increased by 10.3%, gold sales surged 15.5%, and confectionery saw a remarkable 57% rise compared to July 2024. Watches and precious jewelry also performed well, growing by 18.4% and 16.8% respectively.
Luxury Boutiques and Pre-Loved Items Shine
DDF’s luxury fashion boutiques, featuring brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier, saw sales grow by 11.36%. Additionally, the pre-owned luxury boutique REKLAIM, launched in December 2024, generated AED 1.6 million in sales in July alone. Rolex watches were especially popular, with 176 sold since REKLAIM’s launch.
Outlook and Future Plans
Despite increased competition in airport retail and from local stores, Dubai Duty Free continues to thrive through innovation and enhanced customer experiences. Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi credited the team’s dedication and leadership support for the strong performance, positioning DDF for a record-breaking 2025.
