China Duty Free Group (CDFG) parent China Tourism Group (CTG) unveiled today (28 October) the highly billed Haikou International Duty Free City Shopping Complex in Hainan.

Dubbed as the ‘world’s largest single duty free shop’, the new CDFG Haikou mall threw open its doors to shoppers this morning (local time).

Leaders and dignitaries from local and provincial government, CTG and CDFG together with brands, investment institutions, media and other stakeholders gathered for a grand opening ceremony.

As reported, the new CDFG mall features more than 800 international and domestic brands, including many ‘firsts’, over a 280,000sq m commercial footprint.

More than 50 brand DF shops

Situated on the west coast of Haikou City, the Haikou International Duty Free City Shopping Complex boasts a cavernous area of 930,000sq m comprised of six plots, including duty and tax free shops, offices and hotels.

The architectural inspiration of the duty free zone in plot five is ‘Auspicious clouds in Kyushu, the crown of the South China Sea’, which highlights the natural and marine cultural elements of Hainan.

Under the slogan, ‘Duty Free, Free Plus’ the mall houses a number of unique retail outlets, including five customised brand shops, seven ‘first’ stores, and more than 50 brands with the latest concept designs.

Twenty five of those brand duty free stores have entered Hainan for the first time, while 78 are spotlighting as CDFG-exclusive offshore duty free shops.

A main store of nearly 4,000sq m presents haute luxury goods from YSL, Prada, Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Moncler, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Thom Browne, Maison Margiela, Ami Paris and many more.

Christian Louboutin has struck an exclusive agreement with CDFG to open the former’s first store in Hainan.

In fragrances, a dedicated single floor of 30,000sq m offers consumers virtual makeup applications, interactive experiences and customisation, and fragrance tutorials.

Chanel, Dior, Estée Lauder, La Mer, Clé de Peau Beauté and other top beauty and skincare brands reside here, plus 10 duty free CDFG-exclusive fragrance areas from the likes of Sulwhasoo, Laneige and Hera.

Customers can avail of exclusive, customised beauty services and gift packaging from a range of brands and the first SPA experience in global travel retail.

‘A new benchmark for development’

In the wines & spirits category, visitors can enjoy the first Maotai experience store in travel retail blending cultural creativity with rare collections.

An immersive ‘Whisky Experience Centre’ integrating history, culture, craftsmanship, products and consumer interaction will form part of China’s first immersive whisky museum. Shoppers can also discover the history and vinification journey of various wine brands.

On the brands side, the latest global concept designs will showcase from Rémy Martin, Martell, Camus, Courvoisier and a Diageo whisky boutique.

Meanwhile, in watches and jewellery more than 50 global first-line brands present from a lineup gathering Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vacheron Constantin, Omega and Chopard.

Of the nearly 10 boutiques, IWC Schauffhasen has revealed its latest design concept for the first time.

In a novel twist, the CDFG Haikou shopping mall will host a ‘Watches and Miracles’ haute horology exhibition.

Elsewhere, Boucheron Jardin d’Hiver is the only luxury boutique with a catering service at CDFG Haikou International Duty Free City. The boutique invites consumers to enjoy French afternoon tea.

Among the other features at Haikou City International Duty Free Shopping Complex is a 1,000sq m VIP-exclusive social platform and digital purchasing mediums.

A CTG statement read: “With the continuous recovery of the domestic tourism market, CDFG will continue to maintain its dominant position in the tourism retail market in Hainan, and CDF Haikou International Duty Free City, the ‘world’s largest single duty-free store’ will also become a leader in the tourism retail industry in China and the world. A new benchmark for development.”

All images source: CDFG.