Dubai Duty Free records highest ever January sales

Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has posted its strongest January performance on record, achieving AED858.21 million in sales, an 18.53 per cent increase over January 2025.

It's ranked as DDF's third-highest sales month ever, surpassed only by December 2025 at AED922.77 million and November 2025 at AED876.56 million.

The highest daily sale of the month was recorded on January 31 when sales reached AED35.6 million.

Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi commented, “We are extremely pleased to begin 2026 with our strongest January performance ever, following a record-breaking 2025.”

Gold recorded a 45.74 per cent increase, generating sales of AED104 million, while Fashion was up 36.68 per cent, contributing nearly AED82 million. Electronics grew by 36.61 per cent with sales of AED65 million while Precious Jewellery delivered the highest percentage growth at 69.51 per cent, with AED28 million sales.

Other categories posting solid gains included Perfumes, up 13.61 per cent to AED147 million, confectionery rose 15.35 per cent to AED80.69 million, cosmetics gained 7.67 per cent to AED40 million, watches climbed 30.94 percent to AED33 million, and Delicatessen products grew 8.36 per cent to AED27.77 million.

Sales of Dubai Chocolate reached AED36 million with 83 tonnes sold, compared to AED24 million and 42 tonnes in January 2025.

The Fashion boutiques performed exceptionally well, with sales in Concourse A and B up 56 per cent, with record average daily sales of AED3.4 million and a record average transaction value of AED8,820 (US$2,416).

Region wise, Europe and Russia led sales growth with increases of 35 per cent and 36 per cent respectively, followed by a strong performance from Africa at 29 per cent, the Americas 22.5 per cent, the Indian-subcontinent up 11 per cent, the Far East at 10.5 per cent and the Middle East up 5.3 per cent.