Managing director Colm McLoughlin on what it means to be a key sponsor
Dubai Duty Free, a DSF key sponsor, opened for business on December 20, 1983, and has grown to become one of the top three airport retailers in the world.
Employing over 1,600 people, the operation offers more than 35,000 product lines and recorded over 13 million sales transactions in 2005. That's an average of 35,600 transactions per day.
Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director, Dubai Duty Free, answers some questions about their role in DSF 2006-2007:
How long has Dubai Duty Free been associated with DSF?
Dubai Duty Free has been a key sponsor of the Dubai Shopping Festival since 2004 and we think it is a great way of supporting a major initiative that drives people to Dubai.
In what way has DSF benefited DDF in the past?
DSF attracts inbound visitors and the event positions Dubai as a major shopping destination. Dubai Duty Free, therefore, benefits from the traffic as travellers will experience both our Arrivals Duty Free and our duty free on departure.
Have you recorded increased sales during the festival?
We are delighted to say that Dubai Duty Free has recorded year on year increase in sales since the operation began in 1983. We expect to close this year with sales of $700 million (nearly Dh2.57 billion) and we will be a $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion) company by 2009.
The Dubai Shopping Festival and our own promotions, which are extensive, have certainly helped raise the operations profile and therefore contributed towards an increase in sales.
What's your role as a key sponsor of DSF?
As a retail operation, we believe that our role as Key Sponsor is to promote the image of Dubai as a shopping destination that offers great variety of products, great value for money, great value and great customer service all within a shopper friendly environment. These are Dubai Duty Free's founding principles.
What do shoppers have in store at DDF during the DSF?
We had an opening offer of a 23 per cent discount for one day - our anniversary day on December 20 - which was the main highlight. We are also present in the Global Village and will conduct a draw for $1 million (Dh3.67 million) at the end of the Festival.
What kind of shopper profile are you expecting this DSF?
We expect a diverse mix of visitors as the DSF coincides with the festive holiday period. We are looking forward to working with the organisers to ensure that this year's DSF is the best yet.
