Colm McLoughlin, the former executive vice chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free (DDF), was renowned for his genial, gracious, and courteous demeanor towards all he encountered during his 40-year tenure in Dubai. The Irish native, who played a pivotal role in transforming Dubai Duty Free from a modest start-up into a $2-billion enterprise with 6,000 employees, passed away in the UK on Wednesday. McLoughlin was one of the longest-serving Irish nationals in the UAE.

"From the moment I first met him until my last encounter with him in August, Colm was consistently genial, charming, and courteous to everyone he met—employees, suppliers, and anyone else," said Ramesh Cidambi, managing director of Dubai Duty Free, in an interview with Khaleej Times on Thursday. "We often say, 'retail is detail.' He had an exceptional eye for detail, which greatly aided him in the retail sector. While walking through the stores with him, he might not say much, but he observed everything. His memory was remarkable. He was fearless and never shied away from trying new things," Cidambi added during the interview.

Cidambi worked alongside the late Colm McLoughlin for 37 years, starting when he joined Dubai Duty Free in 1987. Before joining DDF, Cidambi worked for a consultancy firm. He joined DDF to establish the IT department, which was launched in November 1987. Over time, he took on additional responsibilities such as logistics, retail development construction, and eventually became the chief operating officer in 2016. He was appointed managing director in June 2024, following Colm's retirement on May 31, 2024.

Praising the travel retail pioneer, the DDF managing director noted: "Colm was a man of great integrity, dedication, and commitment. He truly built the business from the ground up. When I joined Dubai Duty Free, we had around 200 employees and a $50 million business. By the time I took over in June 2024, we had 6,000 employees and a $2 billion business." Cidambi emphasized that Colm's approach was to keep things straightforward. "His communication skills were outstanding—both in writing and speaking. He was meticulous, and his memory was incredible, as he could recall anecdotes, facts, figures, people, and settings from 40-50 years ago. He always infused humor, energy, and enthusiasm into his work. He was never afraid. He always had the courage of his convictions and believed wholeheartedly in what he was doing."

Dubai Duty Free sponsored numerous major events, including the Dubai Tennis Championships and others. "At all DDF events, such as the tennis tournaments, he always made a point to greet employees. He would walk through the airport shops at least once a week." Ramesh Cidambi remarked that Colm McLoughlin's "presence will be deeply missed by everyone in the travel retail industry."

"He was genuinely a legend in the business. He was instrumental in making Dubai Duty Free the world's largest airport retailer at a single location. I believe he will be remembered not only for his business achievements but also for being a kind, courteous, and generous individual who touched countless lives," he concluded.

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