Dubai Duty-Free (DDF) has achieved an impressive sales surge, surpassing Dh2.06 billion in the first quarter of 2025, with February alone setting a record of Dh709 million in sales. The total Q1-2025 sales reached a strong Dh2.06 billion, driven by a combination of increasing passenger numbers and strong demand for various products.
Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty-Free, expressed satisfaction with the sales performance, especially the record-breaking daily sales in February, which averaged Dh25.3 million. This growth aligns with the increasing number of passengers traveling through Dubai International Airport.
Perfumes remain the top-selling product category, contributing Dh371 million (18% of total revenue). Following closely are beverages at Dh258 million and tobacco at Dh220 million, which saw an 11% year-on-year growth. The demand for gold also saw a slight increase, with sales reaching Dh212 million, contributing 10% to the overall revenue. 
In a noteworthy shift, confectionery products secured the fifth position in terms of sales, with a significant 57% year-on-year growth. The confectionery category’s total sales reached Dh207 million, accounting for 10% of total revenue. A key driver of this growth was the success of “Dubai Chocolate” brands. Specialty chocolate brands such as Fix Chocolate, Locali, I Love Dubai, Bateel, and Al Nassma collectively generated Dh80.4 million in sales, translating into over 1.2 million individual chocolate bars sold in Q1-2025.
In addition to the strong performance of these product categories, recent renovations at Dubai Duty-Free’s Arrivals shops contributed an additional Dh125 million to the first-quarter sales, further enhancing the shopping experience for travelers.
As Dubai Duty-Free continues to lead in retail sales at Dubai International, the rise of Dubai Chocolate and ongoing store enhancements promise to keep the momentum going throughout 2025.
