CDFG to open duty-free store in Beijing after success of Sanya store
A historic moment as the letter of content for a strategic co-operation is signed: (Left) Deputy Direct of Chaoyang District Municipal Commission of Commerce Mr Zhu; (Right) President of China Duty Free Group Lu Lu; (Back middle left) Beijing Vice Mayor Cheng Hong; (Middle right) Head of Chaoyang District Cheng Lian Yuan
In historic news for China’s travel retail industry, China Duty Free Group (CDFG) has signed a ‘letter of content for strategic co-operation’ with Beijing Chaoyang District Government to open a downtown duty free store in Beijing.
The store is likely to be located in Beijing’s Central Business District (CBD). Under the current policy for downtown duty free shopping only foreigners can shop in such stores.
CDFG noted that downtown duty free stores are a significant component of the global travel retail industry and also “an important symbol of an international metropolitan area”. In the past, Beijing did have a downtown duty free store, so the new agreement represents the rebirth of a potentially major channel for China’s travel retail industry.
"With the establishment of the downtown tax free and duty free shopping system, a complete industry chain will be formed for Beijing’s travel retail industry to promote the development of high-end retail business towards maturity,” CDFG said.
The Beijing breakthrough is likely to be followed by others. In the stand-out speech of the recent Gate One2One conference in Singapore, CDFG Vice President Charles Chen said: “We are communicating with relevant ministries to prepare for the re-opening of downtown duty free stores in Beijing and Shanghai. We have reached initial strategic agreements with local cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen.”
CDFG posted sales of US$660 million in its last financial year, an extraordinary rise of +43.6%, driven by the success of ‘domestic duty free shopping’ on Hainan Island and expansion of the company’s airport business.
For the year from 20 April 2011, CDFG posted sales of over RMB1.5 million (US$238 million) at the Sanya store on Hainan Island. Average daily sales reached RMB4.64 million (US$735,000) with an average 3,857 transactions daily. An average 11,956 daily visitors entered the store during the year.
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