CHINA. State-controlled China Duty Free Group (CDFG), the country’s leading state-owned travel retailer, has appointed seasoned retail executive Yvonne Chan as Chief Operating Officer.
In her new role, assumed last month, the highly regarded Chan is leading CDFG’s key strategic initiatives, including global business expansion, capital operations and integrated retail management.
The strategic appointment comes at what CDFG called a “pivotal juncture” for the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), which officially entered an island-wide special customs operation model on 18 December 2025.
“This milestone marks a new phase of institutional opening for Hainan, generating both opportunities and heightened competition in China’s dynamic travel retail landscape,” CDFG commented.
Chan brings over 30 years of experience in luxury, beauty and fashion retail with extensive leadership across the Asia Pacific region. Her career includes a 15-year tenure at Burberry Asia Pacific, where she played key roles in Southeast Asia, China and travel retail, driving regional growth and strategic cooperation with China’s duty-free channels.
She later served as President of Asia Pacific for MCM Fashion Group, expanding the brand’s travel retail presence; and as Managing Director at premium beauty houses including Diptyque, Byredo and Eve Lom in Mainland China where she achieved strong market share growth in each case.
Most recently, Chan was President of Greater China for Swarovski Shanghai, leading brand renewal and channel optimisation.
“CDFG is not only an industry benchmark in China’s travel retail sector but also a strategic platform built upon era-defining opportunities and consumer trust,” Chan said.
“I look forward to working with the team to jointly explore new development prospects and injecting fresh momentum into the group’s ongoing innovation.”
Strengthening global competitiveness
According to CDFG, Chan’s deep expertise in brand management, Asia Pacific operations and omnichannel retail innovation aligns closely with the company’s global expansion and consumer-upgrading strategy.
Her extensive cross-regional leadership and resource integration capabilities will help accelerate CDFG’s transformation and high-quality growth, the company said.
“As China’s largest travel retail operator, CDFG is focused on enhancing operational quality, building global capabilities and transforming its portfolio into experiential destinations that integrate shopping, leisure, and culture,” the group observed.
“Chan’s appointment marks a significant strategic step as CDFG positions itself for sustained internationalisation and high-end ecosystem development amid Hainan’s historic transition to full customs independence.” ✈
Footnote: Yvonne Chan will give her first public address in her new role at The Trinity Forum in Doha (5-6 February).
