CHINA. ‘Boundless resonance.’ The event theme said it all as China Duty Free Group (CDFG) welcomed visitors to its Global Brands Meeting in Sanya, Hainan province, on 19 March.
The mantra underlined CDFG’s determination to drive integration and growth across the travel retail ecosystem through strong collaboration with its brand partners.
As reported, the event, held at Rosewood Sanya, attracted a stellar line-up of brand partners, CDFG and China Tourism Group (CTG) leaders and local authorities. It marked a welcome return for this key exchange of ideas and opinions after several years of COVID-impacted absence.
The meeting’s importance was underlined by the presence of 224 brands, embracing categories such as tobacco, alcohol, fragrances & cosmetics, fashion and luxury, food & confectionery, and general merchandise.
The Moodie Davitt Report, represented by Hainan-based Chief China Representative Zhang Yimei, was the sole international travel retail media present.
The meeting featured a range of social and networking activities, a strong conference and seminars programme, and a tour of Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex Phass Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ.
Fan Yunjun, Director and General Manager of CDFG’s parent company China Tourism Group, pointed out in a well-received speech that ‘boundless’ reflects the integration across countries, channels and different aspects of the travel retail ecosystem.
‘Resonance’, he added, demonstrates the wisdom of value co-creation. At present, the travel retail market is recovering rapidly, Fan said, noting the critical role consumption plays in driving economic development. Policy support for the duty-free industry is strong, he emphasised.
The duty-free sector offers important development opportunities, Fan continued. Hainan’s position as an international tourism consumption centre continues to consolidate, and the offshore duty-free market presents a vital consumer spending channel.
Fan said CDFG will follow the fundamental collective principle of “maintaining integrity and innovation, improving quality and efficiency, and integrating development” to promote the company’s high-quality development.
The group will provide more in-depth consumer insights and market development opportunities for its collaborative brand partners. Fan said the company expects more brands to introduce flagship stores and exclusive or first-release products to CDFG, providing consumers with a richer array of products married to a high-quality service experience.
China Tourism Group and CDFG believe that through joint market and government efforts, tourism will be enhanced as a means for people to pursue a better life. In turn, the fundamental role of consumption in spurring economic growth will become more prominent, Fan added.
The meeting featured a range of activities, including the unveiling of the Hainan Offshore Duty Free Association (click here for our separate report) and signing agreements with several strategic brands.
Content-wise, the event focused on core issues such as policy and industry trends and cutting-edge technologies, providing global brands with in-depth insights into the Chinese travel retail market.
CDFG pledged to help global brands develop steadily in China by building a closer bridge for communication and cooperation. It will also provide more accurate market positioning information, while enhancing efficient operational support and diversified marketing strategies for international partners.
At the same time, CDFG plans to assist the internationalisation of on-trend Chinese domestic brands, promoting them to the world through overseas channel expansion, cultural integration and innovation.
In conclusion, CDFG promised to work with global partners to write a new chapter in the travel retail industry’s high-quality development. ✈
