CHINA. The world’s number one travel retailer China Duty Free Group (CDFG) has launched the cdf Duty-Free Shopping Festival.
The nationwide promotion was unveiled on 15 July and runs to September. Themed ‘Free Up, Winning and Taking Off’, the festival aims to provide consumers with a multi-category, enhanced shopping experience packed with incentives and rewards.
The campaign, targeted at both inbound and outbound travellers, rewards consumers through discounts, gifts, in-store interactive cards and other offers to drive increased duty free consumption.
CDFG noted that China’s inbound and outbound tourism market is picking up speed post the COVID crisis, leading to the phased reopening of stores in key Chinese cities.
CDFG has aligned with multiple brand partners to create the shopping festival across stores in nearly 20 key cities nationwide, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Sanya, Haikou, Bo’ao, Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Xiamen, Shenyang, Nanjing, Qingdao, Xi’an, Wuhan, Changsha, Fuzhou, Urumqi, and Heihe.
From 15 July to 15 August, cdf members can receive exclusive member coupon packs via the membership WeChat app. They can enjoy RMB50 (US$6.90) off a single purchase of RMB1,500 (US$208) on selected brands in designated shops; RMB100 (US$13.80) off a RMB2,000 (US$277) spend; and RMB200 (US$27.70) off any RMB3,000 purchase (US$415).
CDFG has also created an array of hot air balloon-themed check-in interactive areas across nearly 20 stores. Consumers can participate in the fun and share their experience on social media platforms with the opportunity to win customised gifts.
In order to meet growing consumer demand for personalised, multi-category and high-quality duty free consumption, CDFG said it has leveraged its strong brand connections and purchasing power to deliver a series of themed promotions. These include the cdf Fragrance Festival, the third 88 Eyewear Festival, the third Smart Electronics Carnival, the cdf Wine Festival and other category-specific promotions.
Simultaneously, CDFG is introducing a wide range of new products and services, including a variety of niche perfumes, a fast-growing category in China. Selected sunglasses products are also being added to the shopping offer.
CDFG plans some particularly exciting experiences for the cdf Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Hainan province. A large electronics carnival interactive experience area has been created, where consumer technology enthusiasts can discover the latest digital products, with exclusive gifts on offer.
Hainan island is a particular focus of the promotional activity. The second Hainan International Offshore Duty Free Shopping Festival and the fifth CDFG Hainan Offshore Duty Free Shopping Festival kicked off recently, featuring some 800 domestic and international brands across multiple categories.
Themed marketing activities, including China’s first duty free children’s fashion show, have formed part of the programme.
Summing up the cdf Duty Free Shopping Festival, the retailer said that duty free shopping had become an integral part of the travel experience in China over recent years with huge market potential still untapped. Such promotions will tap that potential it said. ✈
