CHINA. China National Service Corporation (CNSC) this month inaugurated an Asian Winter Games Retail Zone in its downtown Harbin store.
Harbin, the capital of China’s northernmost province Heilongjiang, will host the 9th Asian Winter Games next February.
The 40sq m zone showcases over 200 products, including plush toys, fridge magnets, badges, backpacks, commemorative cups and clothing. Popular items featuring the Asian Winter Games mascots – Binbin and Nini – are selling out quickly, according to the retailer.
CNSC said it is continuously expanding its product range and supply to meet high demand.
The zone’s opening further integrates duty-free shopping with cultural tourism and sports, CNSC noted. Consumers are invited to experience the vibrant atmosphere in preparation for the Asian Winter Games while discovering a range of collectibles and gifts.
Since the area opened half a month ago, the downtown store’s foot traffic has risen +34% year-on-year, CNSC said. The number of shoppers increased +421% while sales, driven by Asian Winter Games licensed products, grew +31%.
As Sinopharm’s travel retail arm and a key player in the country’s duty-free channel, CNSC has pledged to develop initiatives surrounding cultural tourism, wellness and sports. The upcoming 9th Asian Winter Games serve as a backdrop to integrate these sectors, the company said. ✈️
