Established in 2003, Muscat Duty Free (MDF) (a trade name of Oman Sales & Services LLC) is a 50/50 joint venture company between Oman Air and AerRianta International Middle East (ARIME), an arm of the renowned AerRianta, which is widely credited with pioneering the concept of airport duty free shopping. ARIME is the biggest international duty free operator in the Middle East region, with business interests in Bahrain, Lebanon, Cyprus, Qatar and Oman.
The current business activities of the company include:
1. Duty free shops and related activities within departure and arrival areas at Muscat International Airport.
2. A duty free outlet at Port Sultan Qaboos.
3. Manage and operate Royal Opera House Muscat and National Museum Gift shops
The key strategy of Muscat Duty Free is primarily geared towards providing all travelers arriving and departing Oman with local and international products at competitive prices in an environment where customer service is paramount along with maintaining a flavor of Oman while developing a travel retail facility capable of competing with the best in the region and one Oman can be proud of.
Duty Free shops at Muscat International Airport has taken on a whole new look and product offers have been greatly enhanced since MDF taking over the operations in February 2003. MDF has more than tripled the retail space to reach a total retail area of approximately 5,600 sq mt. The outlets at Muscat Duty Free offer the best in perfumery, cosmetics, jewelery, fashions & accessories, liquor, tobacco, confectionery, food and electronic products. The Amouage perfume shop at departures have become a major attractions for passengers passing through the airport, while also providing an impetus to promote Omani products. Moreover, the popular and fast growing arrivals outlet remains a star performer which enables passengers arriving into the country a last chance to pick up their duty free purchases. At Muscat Duty Free, passengers can also find many travel retail exclusive and special offers which are perfect for their own use as well as for gifting their loved ones.
Muscat Duty Free was able to maintain its steady sales growth even during the recent difficult global economic crisis period suggesting effectiveness of its marketing and promotional strategies. In fact Muscat Duty Free has outperformed many of the larger regional competitors in percentage growth terms, and is becoming more recognized as a serious player in the regional duty free business. The availability of leading international brands at competitive prices in a powerful display, supported by aggressive promotions and good customer service are the main drivers behind this growth.
Additional services have been extended to pre-ordering any of the offered raffle tickets (car, cash and gold) which are becoming very popular. The pre-order facility, which is growing popular among customers, allows them to order something which they like while passing through departures and collect from arrivals on their return or vice versa. The Services are called Shop & Collect.
During the second half of 2009, Muscat Duty Free expanded its retail space in to the newly constructed pier at the Muscat International Airport. The additional retail space secured from the airport authority has been utilized to set up a branded Amouage perfume outlet, a last minute shop to cater for customers who didn't have sufficient time to shop at the main shop and also a Gift Shop where customers can pick something special for their loved ones.
In 2012 Muscat Duty Free opened a dedicated Sunglasses store which was operated in conjunction “La Moda”.
In 2013 Muscat Duty Free opened a specially designed Lacoste store and a Samsonite store which stocks all travel ware that you may need for your journey.
In late 2013 Muscat Duty Free launched their online shop. Passengers can select from over 1,500 different products, they simply pay online and they can collect their purchases at our collection points in departures or arrivals.
In March of 2018 Muscat Duty Free moved to its new premises at Muscat International Airport and launched its new brand identity symbolizing the essence of Oman and incorporating the color scheme of the three piers of the airport. Operating 17 locations almost doubling in manpower and expanded its retail space to 6,500 sqm. As well as increasing its exclusive brands not available in the local market.
AerRianta International Middle East WLL (ARIME)
ARIME's presence in the region over the past two decades, gives it an unrivalled understanding of the cultural diversities of the region. This, when combined with a flexible and enterprising business model, allows it to constantly convert commercial opportunities into profitable business for its many partners throughout the region.
With ARIME's regional headquarters strategically located in the Kingdom of Bahrain, ARIME offers a comprehensive range of support services to its clients from management consultancy to the turnkey retail solutions for airlines, marine, airport and other land based operators. The key services offered by ARIME include shop design, merchandising, procurement, logistics, IT systems, staff training and complete retail management.
OmanAir
The Company’s local shareholder, Oman Air SAOC is the flagship company of the Sultanate of Oman’s Civil Aviation sector, which operates the national carrier ‘Oman Air’. Oman Air has played a major role in making Muscat a major traffic hub in the Middle East providing a fillip to commercial, industrial and tourism activities. This strategic partnership has attracted required technical expertise as well as local institutional support which were instrumental in establishing a successful business whilst also supporting the country’s tourism promotional strategy and the Omanisation requirements.
13, August 2023
The Big Cash Ticket raffle draw-66
13, August 2023
The Big Cash Ticket raffle draw-66
13 June, 2023
The Big Cash Ticket raffle draw- 65
13 June, 2023
The Big Cash Ticket raffle draw- 65
03, April 2023
The Big Cash Ticket raffle draw- 64
08 January, 2023
Grand Cash raffle draw
22 December, 2022
World Cup raffle draw
08 December, 2022
Fortune Wheel Raffle draw
28 November, 2022
Best Customer Service Award MEADFA 2022
12 September, 2022
Gold Raffle draw
21 September, 2022
FIFA World cup raffle draw
18 August, 2022
Fortune wheel raffle draw
29 July, 2022
World Lipstick Day celebration
17 April, 2022
Arrival Sales raffle draw
09 January, 2022
Christmas raffle draw
21 October, 2021
$10,000 raffle draw
24 August, 2021
Lexus LC500 raffle draw
29 July, 2021
World Lipstick Day celebration
01 April, 2021
Grand prize raffle draw
15 March, 2020
Triumph Bonneville street cup 2017 raffle draw
03 February, 2020
Christmas raffle draw
24 November, 2019
MEADFA Conference
11 April, 2019
Excellent performance award
17 March, 2019
Gift Shop launch
17 March, 2019
Albarza competition
17 March, 2019
Graduate Program
26 October, 2018
Frontier Awards
3 October, 2018
Inflight Retailer
29 July, 2018
World Lipstick Day
01 November, 2017
Oman Air & MDF awarded Inflight retailer of the year
01 August, 2016
Legendary Ducati streetfighter 848 winner
26 March, 2016
$100,000 raffle draw
01 October, 2015
Mercedes Benz SL 350 AMG winner
18 November, 2013
Celebration of Omani National day with launch of cardraw
07 April, 2013
($50,000 raffle draw)
12 December, 2012
Harley Davidson Raffle draw
12 November, 2012
Memories of Oman turned into fast Lane fantasy
22 November, 2011
Biodegradable bags at Muscat Duty Free
07 April, 2013
($50,000 raffle draw)
- Shop & Collect: Purchase from various categories in departures and collect from arrivals when returning to Muscat.
- WhatsApp Pre-order: Pre-ordering service which enables customers to order through WhatsApp, and collect from collection points in departures or on arrivals on return to Muscat.
- Gift wrapping: This service is available at our departures shop, please ask any of our colleagues who will be able to assist with this service.
- Online Shopping: A variety of products are offered through our website that enables customers to browse & order. Online purchase allows customers to collect their purchase in departure and arrivals shops.
- Home Delivery: Delivery services is available only in the Muscat region through website purchases or WhatsApp orders.
- Availability: 24-hour and 365-day duty free shopping at Arrivals and departures at Muscat International Airport.
- Specialized Services: Beauty Advisors and specialized Promoters who are always on hand to offer expert advice and assistance to our customers.
COLLEAGUES
The majority of the company's employees have considerable experience in the travel retail industry and with the company.
The Company is committed to increase the Omanisation ratio by giving more opportunities to locals in accordance with the Omanisation policy of the Sultanate. The Company has also supported the promotion of Omani nationals within the Company with several local colleague members who started as junior sales colleagues and Porters progressing to levels of duty managers and department heads.
As part of its commitment for excellent customer service, Muscat Duty Free employs a team of multilingual retail colleagues. Our retail team comprised of 13 different nationalities which support the requirement of operating in an international environment. Muscat Duty Free also has a continuous programme of colleague training, which places emphasis on customer relations, sales techniques, product knowledge, merchandising and communication skills. Training programmers are conducted locally as well as overseas with the involvement of travel retail experts. Moreover, the existing organizational culture has significantly contributed in creating a harmonized working environment with highly committed employee cadre, which can be considered as one of the key success factors of the Company.
SEAPORT
TAKE A PIECE FROM OMAN' Muscat Duty Free shop located inside Passenger Cruise Terminal 1st Floor at Sultan Qaboos Port, with a wide range of exclusive Ornaments & Souvenirs, varieties of Liquor, Tobacco, Food and Confectionaries, Sweets of Oman.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF OMAN
Wide range of superior quality of Souvenirs and gift products designed exclusively for National Museum shop, each piece of souvenirs is designed carefully and with every design there is a story to tell. Do not miss a chance to visit our exclusive gift shop located inside National Museum ground floor, opposite to registration counter.
Please feel free to submit your cv to recruitment@muscatdutyfree.com and we will contact you if and when we have vacancies.