Euroluxe's Duty Free Sales on aircraft soars

A company representing a variety of luxury goods in the Gulf duty free sector has reported a bumper first six months this year, despite less people travelling, due to the Iraq conflict and SARS.

Dubai-based Euroluxe says its revenue from products placed with airlines has gone up 106 per cent and duty free business 'on the ground' has increased 67 per cent.

"It's all due to the professionalism of the airlines operating in this region plus the tremendous service offered by the respective Gulf duty free operators and outlets," says Euroluxe Managing Director, Xavier Bouin.

"We've done extremely well in the first half of the year and we're obviously very upbeat about the rest of 2003 as well. We'll be stepping up activities in a variety of ways to maintain the momentum," says Bouin.

Part of Euroluxe's strategy is to sign up for Middle East Exclusive in Dubai later this year, the region's first exhibition for the duty free sector. It will use the exhibition to showcase Caran d'Ache pens from Switzerland, Caron Perfumes of Paris and Lancel Leather Collection, also of Paris. Middle East Exclusive will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from December 1-3.

The global duty free industry is massive. It is valued at $20 billion and the regional duty free sector is worth $800 million, according to statistics compiled by Generation DataBank, the Swedish-based industry-monitoring  organisation. Statistics also reveal that duty free sales in the Middle East have surged an average of 10 per cent a year since 1997, well ahead of global growth.

The retail travel sector represents 30 per cent of Euroluxe's annual turnover of which 60 per cent is generated through airlines and 30 per cent from duty free outlets.

Bouin heaps praise on Middle East Exclusive, "This is the first such exhibition of its type in the Middle East and we definitely want to be involved. The industry needs a dedicated exhibition.

"Let's face it, the best department stories in the Middle East are at the airports. You can find everything you want at the airport duty frees in the Gulf. They boast great choice, outstanding staff, and attractive prices. And they're improving all the time."

Euroluxe was established in 1997 in Dubai as the regional office for a variety of luxury brands. It handles 12 brands in over 20 countries in the Middle East, Indian SubContinent and CIS.

Middle East Exclusive is being held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates. It is supported by Dubai Duty Free and Middle East Duty Free Association (MEDFA).

A MEDFA-organised conference addressing the duty free industry in the Middle East will overlap Middle East Exclusive. The Middle East Duty Free Conference will be held at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel Dubai, December 3-4.

Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup, a major attraction on the duty free calendar, will be staged December 5-6. The tournament is organised by Dubai Duty Free.

Middle East Exclusive isn't open to the public, but Dubai-based Channel Exhibitions, which is staging the event, expect it to attract 2,500 trade visitors.

Target groups outside the traditional duty free area include hotels, department stores, shopping malls, airlines as well as quality distributors and agents.

"Middle East Exclusive will reinforce Dubai's position as a driving force in the duty free industry. It will be a wonderful regional showcase," says Channel Exhibitions' Justin Boutros.