Retail

The retail and wholesale sector continues to be the largest driver of the emirate’s economy, with figures for the first quarter of 2014 showing that retail contributed $6.32bn in the first three months of the year, up 4% from the same period in 2013. Major plans were announced in 2014 for the world’s biggest mall, while the number of community-focused malls is also on the rise. Looking ahead, Dubai Expo 2020 is expected to further boost the retail and hospitality sector. Official estimates suggest tourism numbers could double from 10m people staying for three-and-a-half days to 20m tourists staying for four days.

This chapter contains an interview with Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman, Dubai Duty Free.