CHINA. Zhuhai Duty Free Group has unveiled an Apple store at its Gongbei Port arrivals duty-free location, marking the brand’s first entry into China’s arrivals port duty-free channel and the addition of consumer technology to this retail format.
The opening follows an official policy notice aimed at enhancing duty-free shop regulations to support consumption, while providing Greater Bay Area travellers with easier access to electronics shopping.
In October, China’s Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the General Administration of Customs, and the State Administration of Taxation issued a series of proactive measures expanding duty-free shop business categories, including wearable devices and other consumer electronics.
The move also highlights a strategic expansion of China’s travel retail landscape from a holiday-driven, Hainan-centric offshore model to high-frequency travel gateways linking Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.
Duty-free shopping beyond Hainan
The Apple store at Gongbei Port arrivals adopts the brand’s signature minimalist design, featuring a two-level layout that showcases its full product line-up. The second floor hosts a service area combining checkout, pick-up, activation and other functions, creating an efficient and interactive digital experience.
The initial batch of high-demand products, such as the latest-generation iPhone and AirPods, is now available, aligning with the offer in Hainan stores.
Convenience combines with competitive pricing across the in-store range, including the latest iPhone models – iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The shop aligns its offer with high-demand capacities, including the popular 256GB and 512GB models. Travellers also benefit from competitive pricing, with the iPhone 17 256GB priced at HK$6,099 (US$780) versus CNY5,999 (US$867) at domestic stores.
After currency conversion, the discount amounts to approximately -10% compared to the official retail price.
Zhuhai Duty Free highlighted its plans to integrate national and provincial consumer subsidy programmes into the duty-free payment system, in line with nationwide initiatives to stimulate consumption.
These include a dual-discount strategy that combines duty-free pricing with government subsidies, allowing consumers to apply up to CNY500 (US$72) in rebates on top of tax-free prices, further enhancing the value proposition.
To enhance engagement, the iPhone Air, iPad, Apple Watch and MacBook are available for hands-on demonstration and will be gradually incorporated into the in-store offer, expanding travellers’ choices.
Evolving duty-free trends in the Greater Bay Area
As China’s busiest land port, Gongbei Port serves not only as a transportation hub connecting Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau but also as a key platform showcasing the strength of the country’s land port duty-free sector.
The Apple store opening leverages the growing passenger traffic at Gongbei Port, which reached 123 million in 2025, up +11% year-on-year, supported by the Zhuhai-Macau integration and the resurgence of Greater Bay Area tourism.
Zhuhai Duty Free is also enhancing its space, brand offerings and category mix at the Gongbei Port arrival store to boost engagement and sales.
The initiative reinforces the retailer’s focus on enhancing its product range to address increasingly diverse traveller preferences through a differentiated selection.
A Zhuhai Duty Free representative highlighted that Apple’s debut is expected to drive broader category innovation, building on the retailer’s high-demand portfolio, such as trendy toys, with gold jewellery identified as the next priority segment.
The Apple store opening also coincides with the peak gifting season of Chinese New Year, positioning the launch to capture seasonal demand. ✈
