CHINA. China Duty Free Group (CDFG) has extended its downtown network with the opening of the cdf Shenzhen Downtown Duty Free Shop on 26 August.
The expansion reflects the company’s focus on strengthening its duty-free footprint in city centres.
The opening is part of a partnership between CDFG, Shenzhen State-Owned Duty Free Commodity Group Co. Ltd. and Shum Yip Holdings Company Limited.
Located in the UpperHills commercial complex, the 3,000sq m store reflects China’s latest industry policy changes, announced in August last year, which aim to boost domestic spending by expanding downtown duty-free retail.
The Shenzhen store is among the first retail projects introduced since the updated regulations came into effect.
Moving beyond the airport model, the downtown outlet allows pre-departure shopping up to 60 days in advance, providing travellers greater flexibility and wider product assortment.
In his opening ceremony address, CTG General Manager and CDFG President Fan Yunjun reaffirmed the company’s commitment to serving the nation and the public by supporting China’s new development framework.
Fan noted the group’s strategy to leverage its global resources to integrate duty-free retail with culture and tourism, reinforcing Shenzhen’s status as an international consumption hub while supporting the development of the Greater Bay Area.
Spanning duty-free and tax-paid sections, the Shenzhen store’s duty-free offering showcases categories including beauty, watches & jewellery, wines & spirits, and consumer electronics, featuring premium brands such as Estée Lauder, La Mer, Clarins, Apple and Moutai.
Designed to promote Chinese brands, the tax-paid section incorporates a trendy toy market, a ‘China Chic’ beauty zone, outdoor sports gear, whisky and watches, and a traditional Chinese medicine area by historic pharmaceutical company Tong Ren Tang.
The store also features a whisky bar and spa, complemented by the ‘Light of Shenzhen’ technology corridor, with leading tech brands such as Huawei, Honor and iFLYTEK to highlight the city’s role as a hub for technology and innovation.
For added convenience, shoppers can pay with credit cards or digital yuan, while the store also offers a ‘cloud tax refund’ system, enabling instant refunds at the point of purchase instead of at departure.
The store marked its opening with promotional discounts, allowing shoppers to purchase duty-free products at up to -25% below tax-paid prices.
CDFG described the cdf Shenzhen Downtown Duty Free Shop as a key project for implementing China’s national policies and a special gift for the 45th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. ✈
