Beijing downtown duty free shop opening nears for CDFG

CHINA. China Duty Free Group (CDFG) is nearing final approval and choice of location for a downtown duty free shop in Beijing, the travel retail giant confirmed to The Moodie Davitt Report today.

“The leaders of CDFG are pushing this project forward,” a spokesperson said, confirming the store would serve international tourists visiting China.

Charles Chen spoke about CDFG’s ambitions in the downtown duty free channel at The Trinity Forum in Shanghai last October.

CDFG President Charles Chen anticipated the opening during his keynote address at The Trinity Forum in Shanghai last October. The retailer plans to offer a “seamless” omnichannel experience for travelers across overseas and Chinese airport stores, offshore (Hainan Island) shops and downtown duty free outlets on the Mainland, he said.

Charles Chen told Martin Moodie about his growth ambitions during a compelling Q&A session following his keynote Trinity Forum address.

The store would be Beijing’s first downtown duty free shop for inbound visitors, according to a report in Beijing Business Today, subsequently confirmed by CDFG to The Moodie Davitt Report.

The Chinese title quoted Cao Pengcheng, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, who said that CDFG is in talks with Chaoyang District (Beijing’s most populous district, renowned for its distinctive streets, restaurants, art and architecture) over the final location and scale of the store.

We’ll bring you more details on the project soon.

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