Big crowds pour in as Hainan Tourism Downtown Duty Free Shopping Complex opens

CHINA. The Hainan Tourism Downtown Duty Free Shopping Complex was formally inaugurated in Sanya, Hainan province this morning, followed by scenes of huge crowds of eager shoppers pouring into the store as the doors swung open for trading.

The Moodie Davitt Report is proud to bring you these live pictures from the store, run by Hainan Tourism Investment Duty Free Co Ltd (HTI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hainan Tourism Investment Development Co Ltd) in a strategic partnership with French travel retailer Lagardère Travel Retail, which provides supply and services.

Renowned Sansha Satellite TV (SSTV) Presenter Summer Wang hosted the formalities which began at 10am this morning. We will bring you an interview with Hainan Tourism Investment Duty Free Co in coming days. Click here for an interview with Lagardère Travel Retail CEO North Asia Eudes Fabre.

The 95,000sq m gross surface complex includes a 2,500sq m bonded warehouse, a small supermarket, and a food court. Within the 30,000sq m of retail space over five floors are 278 brands spanning perfumes & cosmetics, fashion & accessories, watches & jewellery, wines & spirits, confectionery & fine food and toys.

Over a dozen of these brands are new to Hainan, said the partners. These include Dyptique, Byredo, Gucci Makeup, Victoria’s Secret, Blancpain, Hublot, Fred, MaxMara Weekend and Lanvin.

Lagardère Travel Retail CEO for North Asia Eudes Fabre said: “We are very excited to play a leading role in Sanya’s world-class new duty free project. Working in close partnership with Hainan Tourism Investment Development, we made this large-scale opening happen in record time. It is a very ambitious project in terms of scale and timing and I’m very proud of how our teams, locally and globally based, came together to rise to the challenge of delivering a comprehensive and enchanting Duty Free shopping experience in downtown Sanya.

“We also had tremendous feedback and support from all our brand partners to pull this project off in a record 120 days, while having a team of 2,000 travel retail professionals based in China was the key to success.

“Chinese consumers spending at home has boomed as a result of both the global pandemic and local government policies to stimulate domestic consumption. This creates a great potential for Lagardère Travel Retail to continue its growth in China.

“We also hope the phenomenal growth of Hainan also is a responsible, sustainable one. Besides sales we are very focused on delivering unrivalled customer experience and building brand image.”

On location, Summer Wang writes: “The launch of the iPhone 12 has attracted a large number of tourists to shop for hot purchases. Until 5 January a welcome promotion will ensure -15-25% off selected items from wine and Chinese porcelain to watches & jewellery.”

[Full on location report from Martin Moodie and SSTV Presenter Summer Wang to follow soon.]

We present highlighted images from the inauguration today, including this selection of key brand installations and the store environment supplied by Lagardère Travel Retail 

(Above and below) Celebratory scenes from this morning’s opening ceremony hosted by renowned Sansha Satellite TV (SSTV) presenter Summer Wang

A sight to gladden the hearts of the Hainan Tourism Investment Duty Free Co and Lagardère Travel Retail teams as expectant shoppers pour into the store
Photo: Summer Wang, SSTV

(Above and below) First shots of the new store reveal the spectacular architecture of the 95,000sq m complex. The brand assortment embraces all key categories, with more big-name brands to be added in 2021.

Hainan Island: Travel retail’s global hotspot

The Moodie Davitt Report will publish a Hainan Island Special Report with the China edition of The Magazine in February 2021. Written by Martin Moodie and Dermot Davitt, it will explore how the offshore duty free business in China has become critical to the world’s leading brands across many categories.

The report will feature:

  • Comment & analysis on the seismic impact of the new offshore duty free policy in Hainan since 1 July
  • The potential of new offshore duty free allowances across categories from beauty to fashion and watches and from wines & spirits to consumer electronics
  • Major interviews with and profiles of China Duty Free Group, CNSC, Hailvtou Sanya Downtown (Hainan Tourism Investment Development Co), Lagardère Travel Retail, Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development and others, with a special focus on the ambitious Hainan Free Trade Port project
  • Beyond Hainan, we examine the rebound in the China domestic market, assess prospects for Chinese airports and hopes for an eventual return to international travel. With input from leading travel retailers in the Mainland, Macau and Hong Kong markets
  • The ecommerce drive: Assessing the potential of the partnership between travel retail’s long-time market leader Dufry and the digital powerhouse Alibaba; plus digital strategies at CDFG and other major players
  • Expert input from top travel analyst ForwardKeys
  • With contributions from our content partners Globuy, iClick, Jing Daily, Jessica’s Secret and DutyFree Expert on trends among Chinese consumers and the duty free market

Contact Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com to partner with The Moodie Davitt Report for this special edition.

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine