Dubai Duty Free, which celebrated its 25th Anniversary on 20th December 2008, has had a remarkable quarter century that has seen its business grow from Dhs70 million (US$20 million) in 1984 to Dhs3.9 billion (US$1.1 billion) in 2008.
The milestone anniversary was celebrated in a number of ways, including the publication of the book ‘Fly Buy Dubai’ which provides a fascinating insight into the origins of the duty free industry. The anniversary day on 20th December was a very special day as the operation achieved over Dhs70 million (US$20 million) in sales during the 24-hour period, which equals the annual sales of its first full year of business.

Dubai Duty Free announced annual sales of Dhs3.95 billion (US$1.1 billion) in 2008, representing a 23 per cent increase on the previous year.
December itself was a record month with sales reaching a new monthly high of Dhs403 million (US$111 million), while on 17th December, the milestone figure of US$1 billion (Dhs3.6 billion) was crossed

The year saw the operation doubling its retail space from 7,000 square metres to 15,000 square metres with the inauguration of the new Emirates Terminal 3 in October 2008. The opening of

Dubai Duty Free’s Head Office and Distribution Centre and the increase in the operation’s staffing levels to 3,700 were also major milestones for Dubai Duty Free in 2008.
To date, Dubai Duty Free has received more than 150 awards from industry, media and government bodies; a testimony to the operation’s mammoth success.
A five time winner of the much-coveted Frontier Award for ‘Airport Retailer of the Year’, the last of which was presented in Cannes in October 2007, the operation went on to claim more

prestigious trophies in 2008. Awards in the past year included the Global Traveller Award for 'Best Duty Free Shops' won in 2008 and 2009, the Business Traveller UK and the Business

Traveller Middle East award for 'Best Duty Free Shopping', along with the Raven Fox Award for 'Middle East Travel Retailer of the Year'.
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While the successful running of the shop floor operation is a major focus for Dubai Duty Free, the operation is highly committed to promoting Dubai through a series

of high level sporting events such as the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. Attracting 10 out of the top 10 women and 7 of the top 10 men’s players in the world will

be in action from 15 – 28 February. This extraordinary line-up will include both men’s and women’s defending champions, Andy Roddick and Elena Dementieva, as well

as crowd favourites Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and the ever-popular Ana Ivanovic. This event complements the operation's annual sports calendar that includes horse

racing both at home and overseas.
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On 28th March, Dubai Duty Free will return to Nad Al Sheba for the US$5 million Group 1 Dubai Duty Free, the penultimate race on World Cup night which was won in 2008 by Jay Peg, trained by

winning trainer Herman Brown and ridden by champion jockey Anton Marcus.
Looking ahead to the rest of the sporting year, Dubai Duty Free will return once again in Newbury, UK in April 17 and 18 for the Dubai Duty Free Stakes and in September 18 and 19 for the Dubai International Raceday respectively.
Still in the UK, Dubai Duty Free will return to Ascot in 8th August to sponsor the 2009 Shergar Cup. This unique event is, for once, not so much about the horses as the world’s top jockeys compete against each other for a share of the spoils. In 2008, the European Team beat the Rest of the World on this increasing popular fixture.
Dubai Duty Free will also return to Ireland in June for the 2nd Dubai Irish Derby at the Curragh on 28th June with the day once again promising to be a memorable one.
Other sports to benefit from Dubai Duty Free‘s support include the highly successful and industry-focused Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup, the Dubai Desert Classic, Class I Powerboat racing, FIA GT Championships, IRB Rugby 7’s and Basketball to name a few.
By supporting so many events at the highest level and all around the globe, Dubai Duty Free is effectively promoting Dubai’s sporting, leisure and business facilities, which are second to none
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[www.dubaidutyfree.com]