CHINA. Global Premium Duty Free (GDF) Plaza is aiming to inject fresh vitality into Hainan’s travel retail sector during the island province’s summer travel season.
Consumers can enjoy “unprecedented shopping experiences”, GDF Plaza claimed, highlighting its ‘duty free +’ cross-sector collaborative programme.
The retailer is hosting an array of cross-category promotions under the ‘duty free + brand’ concept, extending it to ‘duty free + brand + hotel’ during the holiday period to encourage consumption.
Food, accommodation, transportation, travel, shopping and entertainment are seen as the six major pillars of the local tourism industry. Creating integrated tourism formats and cross-sector cooperation has become a key dynamic in Hainan.
The retailer has joined forces with Elizabeth Arden and Huacai Intercontinental Hotel in Haikou to launch themed promotions.
Activities include surprise hotel rooms, co-branded afternoon tea, an Elizabeth Arden ‘Travel with Arden’ pop-up store and exclusive VIP discounts and vouchers at GDF Plaza’s offline store.
A GDF Plaza spokesperson commented: “This collaboration realises the mutual exchange of high-end member benefits among the three parties and jointly promotes innovative upgrades in member experiences.
“It brings global travellers more immersive, high-quality experiences with dual benefits of ‘duty-free shopping + premium accommodation’ to meet consumers one-stop needs.”
In related news, GDF Plaza Watch Gallery officially opened on 16 July, featuring Swiss brands such as Enicar, Doxa and Coinwatch, plus premium domestic brands including Tian Wang and Renault.
As reported, GDF Plaza launched the Poetry and Wine Dongpo Garden Party in June. During the summer holiday, the retailer is partnering with renowned Chinese liquor brands in a series of promotions.
GDF Plaza has unveiled a comprehensive support service for tourists during the summer holiday period offering convenient options for consumers to pre-plan their shopping. Visitors can receive exclusive vouchers worth CNY1,000 (US$137) through online travel agencies such as Trip.com and Tongcheng Travel.
The retailer has partnered with Chinese navigation app Amap to issue taxi coupons and duty-free shopping vouchers to aid travel convenience and stimulate consumption.
Social media and lifestyle platforms including Douyin and Meituan have joined GDF Plaza’s duty-free ecosystem by offering coupons for popular products which can be combined with in-store discounts.
A GDF Plaza spokesperson stated: “GDF plaza’s upgraded ‘duty free +’ cross-industry collaborative ecosystem not only brings consumers new shopping experiences, but also injects new vitality into Hainan Free Trade Port’s travel retail sector.
“We believe that with the continuous ‘warming’ of Hainan’s summer market, offshore duty-free shopping will usher in a sales boom. GDF Plaza will continue to leverage its brand advantages and innovative spirit, improve service quality and promote consumption.
“It will also support the comprehensive development of the cultural and tourism sector, and add momentum to the overall development of Hainan Free Trade Port’s travel retail sector.” ✈️
