CHINA. China Duty Free Group, (CDFG) will open the spectacular Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex – a vast development that includes the world’s largest single duty free store – on 28 October.
To date, more than 800 well-known brands have confirmed their presence, including many firsts for China travel retail and numerous exclusives.
CDFG said the opening will result in a world-class leisure shopping complex and an “internet celebrity check-in spot”.
As the world’s largest travel retailer, CDFG said it continues to deepen exchanges with global partners to meet new consumer demands and introduce more brands into China’s travel retail market.
Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex is located on the west coast of Haikou City, close to the Hainanese capital’s new seaport, a key transportation hub. The complex offers panoramic views of Haikou Harbour.
‘Cultural Tourism’ to the fore
The sprawling complex embraces a total construction area of 930,000sq m comprising six plots – dedicated to duty free and tax/duty paid retail; high-end offices; an upscale hotel; entertainment; restaurants; and other leisure and cultural offerings. It is designed to meet a wide range of business and leisure travel needs, CDFG said.
CDFG said it is committed to creating the world’s first multi-purpose duty free commercial, cultural, tourism and leisure destination. The duty free shopping zone, located in the fifth plot, covers some 280,000sq m – the biggest duty free shop on the planet once completed.
As reported, the centre will boast several distinctive attractions, including an ‘Edge of the Sky’ atrium designed by Wētā Workshop. The New Zealand company brings imaginary worlds to life by delivering concept design, physical effects, collectables, immersive visitor experiences and games to the entertainment and creative industries.
A whisky museum and a Moutai experience store are designed to provide a one-stop experience for customers to learn about, appreciate and purchase whisky and Moutai. The ‘China-chic’ beauty store will promote and demonstrate China’s fast-emerging beauty philosophy. Additionally, Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex will provide customers with a wide array of distinctive, experienced-based hybrid business formats such as retail + café, retail + teahouse and retail + bar.
The company said: “With its strong performance in Hainan’s offshore duty free market, CDFG will continue to be the world’s largest travel retailer, consolidating its leading position among global players. The Moodie Davitt Report, the renowned media in the global travel retail industry, pointed out that in the past ten years CDFG has undergone an extraordinary transformation. That dominance is set to continue.”
CDFG noted that the Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Haitang Bay has continued to prove a leading attraction to international brands throughout the epidemic. With the opening of Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex, the company will consolidate its industry-leading position, CDFG vowed.
“With the sustained recovery of China’s domestic tourism market, CDFG will continue to maintain its dominant position in Hainan’s offshore duty free sector while spearheading the development of travel retail in China and the world,” the company said.
“In the future, under the leadership of our parent company China Tourism Group, CDFG will further strengthen strategic cooperation with suppliers based on an attitude of open communication, cooperation and innovation. We will practice the cultural concept of ‘management with integrity and quality service’ and place a particular focus on business planning,” CDFG added.
“Our core competitive advantages of design, brand investment, logistics and distribution, operational management, marketing, digitalisation and more will help drive the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port and Hainan’s development as an international tourism consumption centre,” the company concluded. “It will also bring more diverse and innovative tourism and shopping experiences to consumers.”
In July, The Moodie Davitt Report launched a new quarterly eZine called The Moodie Davitt China Travel Retail Report. The cover story is dedicated to China Tourism Group and CDFG. Click on the image to read the bi-lingual title. The next edition will be published in November. Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com for a free first year subscription.
