LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT

The number of years ago that Colm arrived in Dubai to set up Dubai Duty Free

“ In 2019 , Dubai Duty Free was the single largest duty-free operation in the whole world . We had business of US $ 2 billion that year , employed 6,000 people , and were being copied all over the world ,” Colm said in an interview .

And while sales have not yet returned to pre-pandemic highs , “ the target is to take Dubai Duty Free back and surpass 2019 , and that is happening so far ,” Colm announced during May ’ s Arabian Travel Market .

Middle East ’ s biggest travel retailer In true visionary leadership style , Colm has continued to make major investments – investing in the expansion of the retail offer in Dubai International Airport and at Al Maktoum International Airport , with luxury boutiques rolled out even during the dark days of the pandemic – and in the latest technologies . DDF launched its online offer in 2014 , and has since established a 360-marketing approach , automated 95 % of its distribution centre in Ramoul – and in an industry first , introduced digital currencies as payment . Under Colm ’ s leadership , DDF has expanded beyond its retail operation and into leisure with several hotels , F & B , and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium , as well as a series of high-level sporting events like DDF Tennis Championships and DDF Irish Derby .

Attention-grabbing promotions have also been part of DDF ’ s marketing mix , and a huge part of the company ’ s success , with

The number of years Colm McLoughlin has been serving the duty-free industry

The record level of turnover reached by DDF in 2019 , with a target to exceed this by the end of 2023

Millennium Millionaire counting a good many Dubaians among its millionaire prize winners since the 90s .

“ Retail-tainment has been a conscious decision and is part and parcel of our marketing policy ”, Colm says , adding that DDF budgets 2.5 % of its topline income on promotion and marketing . “ We judiciously spend on marketing and that ’ s the secret behind the uptick in our sales per head YoY .”

And on the sustainability front , Colm has long recognised the need for commitment , with DDF holding ISO 14001 certification since 1999 , and prolific in its rollout and promotion of environmental projects . Among these , an ecosystem restoration journey , which calls on the organisation to plant 10,000 trees in 10 years ; and a carpooling system , with 55 % of employees on board .

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