CAMBODIA. China Duty Free Group (CDFG) has revealed details of its third off-airport store in Cambodia, which will open in August at the Naga World Casino in Phnom Penh. It follows the recent opening of a 450sq m store in Sihanoukville, and its first store in Siem Reap just over a year ago.
The company had previously flagged the Phnom Penh opening as the latest development in its plan to boost tourism from China to Cambodia. The move is in line with the Cambodian government’s plan to increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting the nation to one million per year.
The company told The Moodie Report: “CITS Group [CDFG’s parent company -Ed] plans to open Phnom Penh Duty Free Shop at the Naga World Casino in Cambodia’s capital in August 2016. Compared with Angkor Duty Free Shop, it will have more brands and product categories. Benefiting from its location in the Naga World Casino, Phnom Penh Duty Free Shop will target a more diverse customer base – mainly international tourists from Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand as well as China.”
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China Duty Free Group’s Sihanoukville store is the second of three off-airport stores as the company expands in Cambodia |
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It added: “After this opening, CITS Group will complete its comprehensive strategic plan for the duty free industry in Cambodia. It is anticipated that duty free shops will have a significant positive effect in boosting local economic growth and further building Cambodia’s image as an international travel destination, through the joint efforts of China and Cambodia.”
The company said the recent store openings followed the CITS Group strategy under the banner “˜Travel + Duty Free’, which aims to tie the travel retail offer together with inbound tourism.
Assessing the opportunity for the new Sihanoukville store, CDFG said: “Sihanoukville is the only port city and seaside resort in Cambodia. It is Cambodia’s largest harbour and gateway for international trade as well as the only modernised commercial port. It has become the most popular travel destination besides Angkor Wat.
“Its opening further rounds out tourism services in Sihanoukville, filling a gap in high-end tourism luxury shopping. This will attract more international leisure tourists and play a positive role in the local economy and employment.”
The company also hailed the success of the first store in Siem Reap. “Angkor Duty Free Shop had around 300,000 visits in 2015, which accounted for nearly 70% of inbound Chinese tourists to Siem Reap province last year,” said CDFG. “Chinese tourists contributed 95% of visits and sales at Angkor Duty Free Shop.”
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Angkor Duty Free Store: Sales were dominated by Chinese visitors in 2015, while the number of categories on offer was increased |
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It added: “Sunglasses, accessories, milk powder, small household appliances and jewellery were added to the duty free catalogue in 2015, which brought more diversification.
“In addition, we also carried out our social responsibilities as a Chinese corporate enterprise in Cambodia. We invited the Confucius Institute to give Chinese lessons to our Cambodian staff, and, concerned about employee welfare, we are helping them out in their lives.”
*Look out for much more on CDFG’s development plans in our forthcoming Print Edition for February/March, out very soon.
