Based on 2009 sales of US$1.14 billion, Dubai Duty Free has retained its position as the single largest airport retail operation in the world based on analysis released by independent industry experts Generation Research. For the second year running, the announcement places Dubai Duty Free ahead of London Heathrow, which recorded sales in excess of US$1 billion, while Seoul Incheon International Airport retained the third position.

Commenting on the research figures, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, said: “Given that 2009 was a difficult year for the airport retail industry across the board, it is particularly significant that Dubai Duty Free retained its number one position in terms of turnover ahead of other single operators. I congratulate the team and look forward to an even more successful year in 2010.”

In 2009, with the world’s recession at its peak, the global duty free and travel retail business witnessed a 6.8% decline in sales to US$34.5 billion (down from US$37 billion in 2008). However, duty free and travel retail business in the Middle East bucked the trend and rose by 3% to US$2.5 billion, which represents 7.2% of global sales.

Commenting on the retention of the number one position, Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, said: “We are obviously delighted to retain the number one spot for the second consecutive year. It is extremely positive that the Middle East witnessed an increase in sales and has grown its market share of the global duty free and travel retail business. Based on our sales of US$1.14 billion, we are pleased that Dubai Duty Free, as a single operator, now accounts for 3.3% of global duty free and travel retail sales (which includes airports, airlines, ferries and other shops) and 5.5% of the airport duty free business.

“My thanks to H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum for his ongoing support and thanks also to our customers, partners, suppliers and our staff who do a great job in ensuring the success of our business,” he concluded.

Dubai Duty Free continues to witness positive sales growth in 2010, with sales for the first half reaching US$607 million, which represents a 16% increase over the same period last year.