Diplomatic Duty Free’s (DDF) stores in Nairobi (14 located at Jomo Kenyatta Airport and one at Wilson Airport) and Lokichoggio (one border store in Northern Kenya) are benefiting from increased passenger numbers, reports the company’s Marketing Manager Bushra Khan. Last year, Jomo Kenyatta processed 6 million passengers. That number is expected to rise to 7.5 million by the end of this year, and the added benefit is that the company is experiencing a corresponding rise in sales.

“Sales have increased by 30% compared to the same period last year, mainly because of many more leading global brands introduced into the market and a wide range of products that meet the needs of the customers,” says Khan. “Furthermore, customer confidence has returned after the recession, meaning there is more spending power being realized. There was also an increase [in sales] during the first half of 2010 due to people transiting through Jomo Kenyatta for the FIFA 2010 World Cup.”

As mentioned above, providing customers with a wide range of global brands is a key concern for the folks at DDF, and new listings at the company’s stores include fragrances such as Guerlain, Lalique, Issey Miyake and JPG, watches from Skagen, Follie Follie, Swiss Army and Police, accessories from Gold Silk and bags from Brics and Piquadro.

In addition to new listings, DDF has renovated the tobacco section in its main Terminal 2 store at Jomo Kenyatta, removing gondolas and re-branding the area with BAT International signage. In the same store, the company is building a walk-in humidor to cater to cigar aficionados. Finally, DDF has been working with Diageo to improve displays in the liquor section.

Given the success of the business, it makes sense that DDF is looking for opportunities to continue growing, and Khan explains that a number of new projects will be undertaken this year: “We will be opening new locations in the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.”

With regard to the second half of the year, the outlook is favorable: “We have noticed a growing trend of business investors opening up businesses in the African markets, thus creating a boom in the industry,” reports Khan. “From July to December we anticipate an rise in passenger numbers. As a result, sales should increase to the end of the year.”

“We have noticed a growing trend of business investors opening up businesses in the African markets, thus creating a boom in the industry,” Bushra Khan, Marketing Manager, DDF