Dubai Duty Free Breaks July Sales Record With AED638.8M

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office 

Dubai Duty Free (DDF), the world's largest single airport retailer, has once again shown its strength by reporting one of its highest-ever sales figures for the month of July 2025. With sales hitting AED638.8 million (US$175 million) just in July, the performance not only beat last year’s July record but also marked a major success in the retailer’s ongoing journey.

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Strong July Sales in 2025 Surpass Previous Records

In July 2025, Dubai Duty Free reached new heights with a total monthly sale of AED638.8 million (US$175 million). This is not just a big number—it means DDF earned AED56.5 million (US$15.48 million) more than it did in July 2024, when sales were AED582.26 million (US$159.52 million).

The new record is also higher than the previous July best of AED602.8 million (US$165 million), set in 2023. This makes July 2025 the 9th highest month ever in Dubai Duty Free’s entire history. It is also worth noting that five out of seven months in 2025 have already set sales records, making this year an exceptional one for DDF.

Year-to-Date Sales Rise Even as Passenger Growth Slows

From January to July 2025, Dubai Duty Free’s total sales reached AED4.734 billion (US$1.3 billion). This marks a 5.86% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

What makes this even more impressive is that passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport (DXB) only rose by 2.3% during the same period. In simpler words, even though the number of travelers didn’t increase much, people are shopping more than ever.

Leadership Comments on Performance

Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, expressed his happiness about this strong performance. “We are delighted to report another strong sales month in what is already proving to be an exceptional year,” said Cidambi. “Achieving nearly 10% sales growth in a month when we estimate passenger traffic remained relatively flat is a testament to our team’s dedication and product offering.”

He credited the DDF team and their product range for attracting shoppers even when the number of travelers wasn’t growing quickly.

Top-Selling Product Categories in July

Sales in July 2025 were mainly driven by five top product categories: Perfumes, Liquor, Gold, Tobacco, and Confectionery. Here's how each performed:

• Perfumes: Sales increased by 10.3% over July last year. Perfumes continue to be a favorite among travelers.

• Liquor: Saw a modest but positive growth of 1.7%.

• Tobacco: Increased by 2.2%, showing steady demand.

• Gold: One of the stars of the month, with a 15.5% increase in sales.

• Confectionery: Stood out with an incredible 57% rise in sales compared to July 2024.

Other important products also performed well. Watches rose by 18.4%, and precious jewelry saw a 16.8% increase.

Luxury Boutiques See Impressive Growth

Dubai Duty Free has always been known for its premium shopping experience, and this July showed just how important luxury brands are to their business.

Luxury labels at the CA and CB Fashion Boutiques, where top names like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier are sold, grew by 11.36% over the same time last year.

Even though some global reports suggest that luxury brands are struggling in certain markets, Dubai Duty Free is seeing the opposite trend. Cidambi pointed out that demand for high-end fashion and accessories remains strong at DXB airport.

Pre-Owned Luxury Finds New Fans: REKLAIM Boutique’s Success

A newer part of Dubai Duty Free’s luxury offering is REKLAIM, a boutique that sells pre-owned (pre-loved) luxury goods, including watches and handbags. It was launched in December 2024 and has already made a big impact.

The boutique is located in Concourses A, B, and D, including inside the Emirates First Class Lounge.

In just seven months, REKLAIM has earned over AED14.3 million (US$3.9 million) in sales. In July alone, REKLAIM generated AED1.6 million (US$445,000) in sales.

Rolex Watches Lead the Way

The most popular item at REKLAIM has been Rolex watches. Since the boutique opened, 176 Rolex watches have been sold, with 16 sold in July 2025 alone.

Cidambi shared his thoughts about this trend, saying: “The demand for pre-loved luxury products is growing and with the REKLAIM offer, we can provide pristine, sought-after items that may be difficult to find in the market. We are looking at expanding the REKLAIM offer throughout the operation in response to the growing demand.”

Facing Competition with Innovation and Dedication

Dubai Duty Free's outstanding sales come at a time when the airport retail sector is facing more competition—not just from other airports but also from shopping malls and online stores.

Despite this, DDF continues to grow. How? Through a smart combination of:

• New product offerings

• Exciting in-store experiences

• Digital tools and engagement

• Luxury and premium brand partnerships

Cidambi also praised the role played by DDF's leadership team and its employees. “This outstanding achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and the unwavering support from our Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,” he said.

With such strong sales results and a focus on quality shopping experiences, Dubai Duty Free is well on its way to finishing 2025 as one of the best years in its 40+ year history.

Their plan to continue investing in both luxury retail and pre-owned offerings while enhancing customer satisfaction and operational performance shows that DDF is ready for future growth.

In conclusion, Dubai Duty Free’s record-breaking July shows that travelers are still eager to shop, especially when given top-tier options and great service. Whether it’s perfumes, gold, chocolates, or Rolex watches, DDF continues to capture the hearts and wallets of people passing through Dubai International Airport.