The construction of the new Haikou International Duty Free Mall on China’s island province of Hainan cannot come soon enough for CDFG as the company’s President, Charles Chen tells TRBusiness that space in its Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex has become ‘saturated’.

 

“Up to now, numerous international well-known brands have been attracted to Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex and the sales are all beyond their expectations,” Chen tells TRBusiness.

 

As more Chinese travellers emerged from quarantine during the May Labour Day holiday period, their strong propensity to spend was evident in Hainan, said Chen during a conversation had with TRBusiness in May.

 

“However, the space is saturated while many other brands still wish to open flagship stores in the complex.

 

MORE INTERNATIONAL BRANDS WELCOME

“We will try our best to offer good opportunities for them with reasonable planning and arrangement based on their sales. We welcome more international brands to set up showcases in the complex.”

 

Construction on the mall, which will house duty free stores, but also duty paid shops, offices and a hotel, began in 2019 and will be complete by 2022.

As reported, the duty free allowance on China’s Hainan Island will more than triple to RMB100,000 ($14,063), in line with plans for a Free Trade Port (FTP).

ORDER ONLINE, INSTORE

Chen also confirmed that CDFG opened two duty free ‘experience stores’ located in Mangrove Tree Resort and Nanshan Scenic Spot, also in Sanya on 13 May.

 

The 740sq m store in Mangrove Tree Resort offers a personal shopping service and guides, which help to fully explain the offshore duty free policy to tourists.

The so-called ‘experience stores’ allow tourists to “experience the products and get immersed in brand culture and its value,” adds Chen.

 

“Customers can order products that they experienced in-store, online for collection at the pick-up point. The ‘experience stores’ in Sanya Phoenix International Airport are still under construction.”

 

As reported, China International Travel Service Corporation Limited (CITS) has acquired a majority stake (51%) in Hainan Duty Free Co. Ltd (HNDF).