CHINA. China Duty Free Group (CDFG) celebrated the opening of its Tianjin downtown duty-free store on 28 November.

It is the first downtown duty-free store in the northeastern city of Tianjin and described by CDFG as a flagship project.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior executives and officials, including China Tourism Group Chief Accountant Jin Hongyan; Tianjin Customs Deputy Director Hou Jinpo; Tianjin Municipal Commerce Bureau Deputy Director Li Hong, and Gao Xujiang, Deputy General Manager of China Tourism Group Duty Free Corporation.

CDFG said the successful launch of this project marks a critical milestone in Tianjin’s development as an international consumption hub in northern China.

“The store will further unlock policy benefits, stimulate the repatriation of consumption, and support the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in accelerating the establishment of a new ‘dual-circulation’ development model that integrates domestic and international markets,” the retailer added.

Redefining retail with unique experiences

Located on the first floor of Yanlord Plaza in Tianjin’s central Nankai District, the 1,105 sqm space is a key demonstration of CDFG’s integrated retail model, which combines duty-free and duty-paid shopping, online and offline channels, plus imported and domestic products.

The duty-free zone features an array of global brands and products, covering popular categories including cosmetics, fragrances, premium wines and spirits, watches and jewellery, fashion accessories, and electronics {main story continues following the communication below}.

The zone also offers a bar providing experiential mixology experiences and an exclusive VIP lounge providing personalised shopping assistance, private tastings, and bespoke consultation services.

The duty-paid area highlights China’s intangible cultural heritage home-grown legacy brands. Customers can select from a variety of traditional bronzeware, cloisonné, porcelain, tea, and knotted buttons, as well as popular lifestyle brands favoured by younger generations such as Remote Mountain Bazaar and Panda Factory.

To celebrate Seagull Watches, one of Tianjin’s most revered brands and a pioneer in Chinese watchmaking, the store is also debuting a collection of Seagull Watches-themed cultural products, offering out-of-town visitors a uniquely Tianjin experience.

By blending ‘international quality with local character’, the store serves not only as a gateway to global retail but also as a new urban landmark showcasing Tianjin’s cultural appeal, CDFG noted.

To mark the opening, the store launched a series of promotions, including shopping vouchers, 10x membership points, and limited-time discounts of up to -30% on select items.

CDFG said that with professional shopping assistance, convenient payment options, and diverse interactive experiences, customers can buy at a world-class level without leaving the country while enjoying a relaxed and pleasant environment.

“As a key initiative in the implementation of the national policy on downtown duty-free shops, the CDFG Tianjin down store is designed to serve strategic goals and boost consumption,” CDFG added.

“It integrates duty-free and duty-paid retail with tax refund services for departing travellers.

“This ‘duty-free + duty-paid’ model, combined with coordinated shopping and refund mechanisms, offers a seamless, high-quality experience for all consumers.”

A new stage for retail in northern china

At the opening ceremony, China Tourism Group Chief Accountant Jin Hongyan said the store launch is a key step in strengthening the group’s presence in northern China.

By leveraging Tianjin’s strategic location and significant consumption potential, CDFG will utilise its global supply chain and brand resources to enrich product offerings and continuously enhance the city’s shopping experience, Jin added.

Tianjin Municipal Commerce Bureau Deputy Director Li Hong said the opening injects new momentum into Tianjin’s development as an international consumption hub in northern China. He expressed hope for deepened collaboration with CDFG to jointly create high-quality retail environments that better meet the diverse needs of residents and visitors.

“The Tianjin downtown duty-free store will continue to introduce both top global brands and local favourites, enhance its omnichannel operations, and strengthen its appeal as a regional shopping destination,” CDFG observed.

“It will further integrate duty-free retail with the city’s culture, supporting Tianjin’s development into a world-class consumer hub for northern China,” CDFG said.

Moving forward, the group pledged to leverage its global supply chain and brand partnerships to support domestic demand growth, and to present Chinese culture and brands to the world, allowing shoppers to experience the unique charm and vitality of Tianjin. ✈