The new smart glasses store at HTDF Mall has been developed in collaboration with Doctor Glasses.

Hainan Tourism Investment Duty Free (HTDF) Mall has unveiled Hainan’s first dedicated Smart Glasses concept store in collaboration with optical retailer Doctor Glasses, advancing its vision to become a ‘destination of choice’ for tech-forward, emerging luxury consumers.

The store is designed as an open, immersive environment that has been optimised for the high-traffic duty-free environment.

It brings together a curated portfolio of leading smart wearable brands, including Qwen, RayNeo, XREAL and SuperHexa, showcasing the latest advancements in AI audio, AI capture, and AR display technologies.

A standout feature is the interactive NFC ‘tap-to-connect’ solution, which give visitors the chance to instantly test next-generation wearable devices without complex setup requirements.

“At HTDF, we are reshaping what a duty-free destination can be,” said a spokesperson for HTDF Mall, which is located within the Hainan Free Trade Port.

“The launch of this smart glasses concept store reflects our commitment to placing innovation at the heart of the customer experience.

“We are moving decisively from a ‘product-first’ mindset to an ‘experience-first’ paradigm – one that leverages cutting-edge technology to create lasting engagement and differentiates Hainan as a global tourism consumption hub.”

The interactive NFC ‘tap-to-connect’ solution gives visitors the chance to instantly test next-generation wearable devices without complex setup requirements.

HTDF Mall is targeting today’s high-income travellers – particularly Millennials and Gen Z – who it says ‘increasingly view technology as integral to a premium lifestyle’.

The strategy, according to the company, is to cater to those who expect seamless, interactive, and personalised experiences that blend physical retail with digital discovery by introducing innovative tech concepts such as the smart glasses store.

With the island-wide customs closure of the Free Trade Port now fully operational, the HTDF’s plans speak to how some stakeholders are moving from a conventional product sales offering to a more service-oriented, experience-driven model.

The store brings together leading smart wearable brands, including Qwen, RayNeo, XREAL and SuperHex.

From HTDF’s perspective, downtown duty-free is particularly well placed to drive the evolution with the company focused on expanding its technology consumption ecosystem and forging partnerships with frontier brands that resonate with today’s travellers.

Looking ahead, HTDF Mall plans to incubate additional tech-driven experiences and deepen its collaborations with international smart device manufacturers.

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