CHINA. As the National Day Golden Week (1-8 October) and Mid-Autumn Festival (6 October) holiday period gets underway, and Hainan’s popularity as a top travel destination soars, China Duty Free Group (CDFG) is rolling out an array of shopping incentives.
CDFG has launched a themed campaign across its six Hainan stores, pledging to “unleash the full potential of Hainan’s offshore duty-free market”.
The campaign embraces multiple brand debuts, limited-edition releases, innovative retail offers and multi-brand collaborations. All this adds up to a multi-faceted, highly engaging ‘duty free + cultural tourism’ ecosystem, providing travellers with a quality vacation experience that spans the entire island, CDFG said.
Flagship debuts and exclusive launches drive consumer buzz
Since the beginning of the year, a slew of international luxury brands, including Coach, Estée Lauder and Lancôme, have successively launched their first travel retail flagship stores in selected CDFG Hainan doors.
Renowned domestic brands such as Seagull Watches and Shanghai Watches have also partnered with the retailer to make their first foray into the Chinese travel retail channel.
The Hainan debuts of drinks chain cococean and confectionary maker BABBI added further appeal to the island’s duty-free offerings.
During Golden Week, CDFG’s Hainan locations are unveiling several more ‘first stores’ and concept flagships, along with CDFG exclusives, limited editions and product launches.
For the first time, luxury fragrance brand Diptyque has officially unveiled a space at the cdf Sanya Phoenix International Airport store and opened an additional pop-up.
At the cdf Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex, pop-up activations from Gucci, La Mer and Tom Ford are also set to open soon.
Meanwhile, toy and lifestyle powerhouse Pop Mart has partnered with CDFG to bring an exhibition and a pop-up store to cdf Sanya, celebrating its popular designer toy character DIMOO, which will run till 1 November.
Shoppers can participate in a scratch card game at cdf Sanya to win shopping benefits
Titled ‘Shapes of Nature’, it is the first DIMOO-themed exhibition in China and features exclusive workshops and a stamp collection game. Tourists and Hainan residents who participate in interactive activities have a chance to receive gifts. Visitors can buy DIMOO collectibles and other merchandise at the pop-up and enjoy an engaging retail experience.
CDFG said by creating a cluster of high-quality ‘firsts’ across its Hainan locations, it aims to reshape the landscape of duty-free shopping on the island.
Creative marketing and new scenarios fuel cultural tourism
The group said its Hainan network is deepening the integration of duty-free retail and cultural tourism by transforming retail spaces into immersive destinations that can be explored, enjoyed and shared.
Through high-traffic events such as pop concerts, the debut exhibition of Pop Mart’s DIMOO and Disney-themed experiences, the retailer continues to build compelling retail environments and dynamic brand ecosystems that can captivate travellers and elevate their journey.
With its third anniversary fast approaching, cdf Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex, the world’s largest duty-free retail emporium, is rolling out a month-long line-up of fun events starting from 1 October.
High excitement in Haikou
Highlights include a giant capsule toy installation at the complex’s iconic AURA Edge of the Sky Atrium and the brand-new ‘MAX Coin’ play-and-redeem scheme.
Other festivities are whisky pop-ups from Bruichladdich, Highland Park and The Glenlivet; a rollercoaster-themed market; and an interactive ‘cyber moon viewing’ event celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival.
Shoppers can also enjoy birthday surprises and payment perks, turning the campaign into a ‘full-scale retail carnival’.
Meanwhile, cdf Sanya will host National Day-themed musical parades and live performances, and cdf Sanya Phoenix International Airport store invites visitors to snap photos at its National Day Photo Wall for a chance to win gifts.
Promotional blitz and thoughtful services elevate consumer experience
Beyond immersive experiences and events, CDFG is also rolling out a series of shopping benefits and attentive services this Golden Week to elevate the retail experience.
Through 8 October, shoppers at cdf Sanya who meet qualifying spending thresholds can enter a lucky draw for premium prizes, including gold bars, iPhones and DJI Pocket 3 cameras. Shoppers can also enjoy government-issued shopping vouchers and Alipay’s ‘Tap to Win’ campaign, offering instant rebates of up to CNY888 (US$125).
Over at cdf Haikou, an Aston Martin DBX luxury test drive experience from 3 to 5 October means customers who meet the designated spending threshold can receive an exclusive opportunity to get behind the wheel.
In addition, select products across the store will be available at discounts of up to -70%, along with gift-with-purchase offers and special privileges when paying with designated bank cards.
Customers who visit the Suntory boutique at cdf Haikou can enjoy complimentary tasting and surprise gifts
cdf Sanya Phoenix International Airport is marking National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival with gift-with-purchase perks and a fun emoji guessing game.
At cdf Haikou Mova Mall, the ‘Double Festival’ celebration brings major discounts (up to -70%) plus instant savings on select items. Shoppers can also enjoy themed photo spots, traditional Chinese medicine consultations and a treasure hunt game, adding festive flair to the retail experience.
In addition, cdf Haikou Meilan International Airport has rolled out an early-bird offer, with shopping subsidies and dining discounts valued at over CNY9,000 (US$1,265), as well as a special Apple accessories zone and blind box games.
Extra care is being extended to delayed passengers and seniors at the airport, with perks including exclusive cashier lanes, shopping subsidies and free garment care – small touches that showcase Hainan’s signature hospitality and enhance the retail experience for passengers, CDFG said.
“As Hainan’s offshore duty-free policy continues to evolve, we are leveraging our ‘duty free+’ strategy to drive multi-dimensional integration across culture, commerce, sports, tourism and wellness, with the goal of unlocking new possibilities for cultural tourism consumption,” CDFG commented.
“By bringing together regional resources, curating distinctive experiences, streamlining one-stop shopping processes and delivering meticulous, innovative services, our Hainan stores not only offer consumers greater convenience and product range, but also significantly enhance Hainan’s appeal as a global tourism and retail destination.
“These efforts lay a solid foundation for the island’s upcoming transition to a zero-tariff regime and the next wave of consumption upgrades,” the retailer concluded. 🏝️
