INTERNATIONAL. A Tax Free World Association (TFWA) webinar today outlined the opportunities and challenges offered by the Chinese market. The event was hosted on its TFWA365 online platform.
The first session – moderated by TFWA Managing Director John Rimmer – looked at the forces shaping Chinese travel retail, with speakers considering the development of the downtown duty free market, the growth of duty paid business at Chinese domestic airports and the rise of China’s second-tier cities.
Speakers included Wangfujing Duty Free Deputy General Manager Zeng Qun, Lagardère Travel Retail CEO North Asia Eudes Fabre and Duty Free Export and Amberich International Founder Jason Cao.
ForwardKeys Market Analyst Nancy Dai provided an update on domestic air travel in China, noting the COVID-related impact on domestic travel and the increasing popularity of Macau as a holiday and ‘staycation’ destination.
The second session – moderated by TFWA Conference Manager Michele Miranda and TFWA Chief Representative for China Hannah Gao – focused on young Chinese consumers and how their digital-based lifestyles are forcing brands and retailers to rethink travel retail strategies.
Speakers considered how the industry can remain relevant to the young consumers and key marketing trends. They included Emerging Communications Head of Planning Rocky Chi; Hefang Founder and Designer Sun Hefang and Eternal Optical & Perfumery (Far East) Senior Vice President Chloe Lam.