Chinese travellers boost sales of liquor for Dubai Duty Free

The world’s single largest travel retailer, Dubai Duty Free, has said a rise in the number of Chinese passengers is one of the main factors behind a strong 17% increase in liquor sales over the first nine months of 2011.

The increasing number of mainland Chinese travellers at Dubai International has helped liquor sub-categories at DDF, such as single malt whiskies and cognacs, to grow at rates of more than 30% this year.

“Chinese passengers are becoming increasingly important in almost all product segments, from the traditional categories of liquor and tobacco to the more sophisticated perfumes, cosmetics and watches,” said DDF vice-president purchasing Saba Tahir. “They have had a huge impact on specific product categories such as cognac.”

Tahir added that the travel retail exclusive Absolut Watkins had been one of the most successful liquor launches at DDF in the early part of the year.

“DDF was the first airport retailer in the world to launch Absolut Watkins. This was followed by further launches throughout the year with some notable ones being Hennessy Paradis Imperial, aimed specifically at the luxury Chinese and Russian passengers, Bacardi ready-to-serve cocktails aimed at the younger age between 21 and 35, as well as Smirnoff Twist Espresso, among others.”