MACAU, CHINA. Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM) and China Duty Free Group (CDFG) today announced that they have entered into a binding Memorandum of Understanding to open a CDFG flagship store at Grand Lisboa Palace in Macau.
Grand Lisboa is SJM’s future integrated resort on Cotai, Macau. It is expected to open in the second half of 2019.
CDFG will be the anchor tenant, operating 7,500sq m in a prime first floor retail space at the Grand Lisboa Palace, marking the Chinese travel retail giant’s downtown debut in Macau.
CDFG, established in 1984, is China’s leading duty free retailer, and is a subsidiary of the travel giant China National Travel Service Group Corporation Limited (CNTS). CDFG has over 200 stores across China, the most duty free outlets in a single country within the travel retail sector.
CDFG’s Macau flagship store will be in Grand Lisboa Palace’s much-anticipated 53,000sq m retail mall, which will cover the first and second floors of the development. The mall is designed to delight visitors with an innovative ‘Fantasy Garden’ theme, designed to invoke splendour and luxury with the use of delicate topiary, ornamental birdcages, and elegantly formed garden walkways.
Dr. Ambrose So, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SJM, said, “The introduction of CDFG’s Macau flagship store into Grand Lisboa Palace will greatly expand and enhance the retail offerings of our resort, appealing to any type of visitors especially those with sophisticated lifestyles.
“Leveraging the strong brand recognition and commitment to quality and service at both SJM and CDFG, our collaboration with CDFG will elevate visitors’ shopping experience in Macau and strengthen the positioning of Grand Lisboa Palace as Macau’s Capital of Style.”
CDFG President Charles Chen said: “The opening of our Macau off-airport duty free store in Grand Lisboa Palace serves as a new step in CDFG’s business development. The Hong Kong and Macau market is a retail hotspot in the Asia Pacific, and through the successful tenders for expanded footprint in Hong Kong and Macau airports, as well as the upcoming store in Macau downtown, CDFG has steadily actualised its strategic plan for the region.
“Macau is an integral part of the Greater Bay Area, welcoming 32.61 million visitors in 2017, amongst which 90.3% were tourists from Greater China. As a Chinese duty free company with deep understanding of Chinese consumers, CDFG’s new duty free store will bring even more quality products and shopping experience to customers, supporting Macau’s positioning as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”
Building on CDFG’s long-term relationships with top-tier luxury brands, its Macau flagship store at Grand Lisboa Palace will carry a diverse mix of perfumes and cosmetics, watches and jewellery, apparels, shoes and accessories, travel-related products, and other categories.
About the key players
The Grand Lisboa Palace, which incorporates an East-meets-West theme in its architecture and design, will offer approximately 2,000 guest rooms in the Grand Lisboa Palace Hotel, Palazzo Versace Macau and Karl Lagerfeld Hotel. Other features will include a Wedding Pavilion for celebrations and events, a versatile multi-purpose hall, an abundance of fine dining and signature food and beverage options, as well as other entertainment and leisure facilities.
SJM, with its roots in Macau, is a subsidiary of SJM Holdings Limited (listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange), and a leading operator, owner and developer of premier tourism, leisure entertainment and related businesses in Macau.
SJM’s Grand Lisboa, set in the heart of the city with indoor access to the renowned Hotel Lisboa, offers a range of acclaimed restaurants, ultra-luxurious rooms, and a full complement of entertainment and leisure facilities.
Grand Lisboa is the only hotel in the world boasting seven Michelin stars, including Macau’s only Michelin three-star restaurants The Eight and Robuchon au Dôme, as well as the one star-rated The Kitchen. SJM also operates Oceanus at Jai Alai, connected directly to the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal. The adjacent Jai Alai complex comprises Jai Alai Hotel, restaurants and the JA Avenue – Macau’s new cosmetics and beauty landmark.
Situated in the historic Inner Harbour district is Ponte 16 Resort, housing a five-star French hotel Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 as well as diversified entertainment and dining facilities.
The Grand Lisboa Palace, SJM’s future integrated resort on Cotai, will feature three hotel brands – Grand Lisboa Palace Hotel, Palazzo Versace Macau and Karl Lagerfeld Hotel, and facilities for meetings and conferences, shopping, dining and entertainment.CDFG is China’s leading duty free retailer. Over more than 30 years of rapid development, it has set up over 200 duty free stores across Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taipei and Southeast Asia, including the world’s largest single duty free shop – Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex on Hainan Island. CDFG has established long-term relationships with more than 300 top-tier luxury brands. Its parent company China National Travel Service Group Corporation Limited is China’s largest tourism group following the strategic merger of CTS Group and CITS Group in 2016.
