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Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business
Abu Dhabi Duty Free set a new sales record in 2015, reaching AED 1.5 billion across its retail, food and beverage (F&B) and services sectors, according to its latest commercial figures. Sales were up 10.3% on 2014’s figures, despite increasing economic volatility worldwide.
The retail category continued its upward growth trend, rising by 7% to AED 1.079 billion from the AED 1.009 billion in 2014, contributing to a strong and steady 13.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2010-2015. F&B sales recorded a 25.7% increase to account for the majority of growth across Abu Dhabi Airports’ businesses last year, while the services sector posted a 15.2% rise, of which 26.8% was fueled by airport advertising.
“The continued success of Abu Dhabi Airports is driven by the growth of the national airline, Etihad Airways and the attractiveness of Abu Dhabi as a destination for global events, culture, heritage, and superb world class infrastructure and facilitiesâ€, said HE Ali Majed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports.
“Abu Dhabi International Airport continues to offer a wide range of commercial offers that reflect and meet our consumer demographics. These are linked to a diverse promotional and marketing calendar with activations that have included prizes such as supercars, gold and instant Duty Free cash vouchersâ€, HE added.
Abu Dhabi Duty Free also rewarded selected passengers with gift vouchers worth AED 1 million and coordinated a ‘lucky seat’ program on targeted flights, cementing an engaging presence with Abu Dhabi International Airport’s 23 million passengers in 2015. Furthermore, passengers were treated to several firsts, including the sale of products made exclusively in the UAE and the world’s first Sephora™ store housed in an airport.