Dubai Duty Free has won many awards during its illustrious history, but the first gave management and staff confidence in their approach and sowed the seeds of the retailer's now stellar industry reputation. Capturing the Airport Duty Free Operator of the Year Award at the Frontier Awards in Nice less than two years after start-up was a major milestone.

Colm McLoughlin receives the prestigious Frontier Award as Airport Duty Free Operator of the Year in Nice in 1985. Dubai Duty Free was also highly commended in the Best Marketing Campaign category.

(Above) Marking the awards success back in Dubai. In the wake of this win, the company promoted its status with one of its early marketing campaigns. The 'Fly Buy Dubai' slogan went global and more Frontier Awards were to come in the years ahead.

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George and Carmel Horan (above left) at the Frontier Awards celebration party.

A dash of style: Staff wear their two-tone grey uniforms introduced in 1985.

The Moodie Davitt e-Zine | Spotlight Series – Special Report | 20 December 2018