Generation Research, independent industry experts, recently came out with its sales analysis, under which it titled Dubai Duty Free as the biggest single airport retail operation in the world. The airport recorded sales of $1.1 billion in 2008.

With this announcement, Dubai Duty Free has been placed ahead of London Heathrow and Seoul Incheon International Airport, both of which just exceeded the $1 billion sales.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of Dubai Airports, said: "For the past several years Dubai Duty Free has been listed amongst the top three airport retailers in the world in terms of sales."

He added that it has come as a great achievement for the Dubai Duty Free, and the credit for it also goes to its management and staff.

A rise was seen in the global duty free and travel retail business in 2008 to $37 billion, an increase of 8.8 percent over the previous year, from which airport duty free sales accounted for $21.8 billion.

Dubai Duty Free, with sales of $1.1 billion in 2008, accounts for 5 percent of the airport duty free business and 3 percent of the wider duty free and travel retail global business.

"We are obviously delighted to achieve the No. 1 spot based on our sales of $1.1 billion. A lot of people have worked hard to ensure our success and I sincerely thank Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum for his unswerving support as well as our partners, suppliers and our staff who do a fantastic job," concluded Colm McLoughlin, managing director of Dubai Duty Free.

Last year was quite an important year for Dubai Duty Free, as it also celebrated its 25th anniversary in December.