Iraq Duty Free impresses travellers with new Baghad International store

Baghdad Airport retailer, Iraq Duty Free, has unveiled a refurbished and much-modernised duty-free shopping zone for travellers flying with Iraqi Airways.

The newly renovated store for departing travellers (pictured below) was opened in late December 2018. Under the guidance of the director of the Iraq Civil Aviation Authorities Mr Ali Khalil, the new shopping zone has been designed and constructed in line with the modern traveller’s expectations.

All major international brands are on sale and many have provided their own special display and promotional fittings. Brands such as Gucci, Dior, Hermes, Lacoste, Chivas Regal, Ray-Ban, Toblerone, Burberry and Godiva are displayed to travellers and Iraq Duty Free staff are on hand to help with any questions or to offer advice. All major categories from fashion to fragrance, whisky to wine, confectionery and tobacco are well represented.

Fouad Jabbour, general manager of Iraq Duty Free explained, “We saw some exceptional trading in 2018 – with sales 25% up on 2017’s figures. When you bear in mind that the Iraqi Airways departure terminal store was closed for nearly 4 months of this period, we consider 2018 a great success. The growth in shopper numbers and their spending is down to the new brands we have on offer and the newly reopened shop.”

“As soon as the departure store reopened (after renovation) we experienced an immediate increase in terms of sales of +30% over last year’s December – and we are sure that this growth will continue throughout 2019.”

Jabbour continued, “Our next projects will be the renovation of our two shops of the International Airlines terminal for departure & arrival that should start by the 2nd quarter of 2019 in addition to the renovation of the arrival shop at Basrah Airport as well. We hope these new airport duty free openings will be operational by the last quarter of 2019.”

Travellers heading via Baghdad International can pre-order via the Iraq Duty Free website here – or match their trip to the shopping on Duty Free Hunter here.