CHINA. As Hainan’s winter travel peak season prompts a year-end sales surge for the island’s offshore duty free shops, Global Premium Duty Free (GDF) Plaza in Haikou has piled in on the action.
The retailer has unveiled an array of cross-platform online and in-store collaborations, and introduced a series of promotional campaigns to boost pre-Lunar New Year sales.
‘Culture + tourism’ integration booms
Hunan TV’s New Year’s Eve Gala is being held at the Wuyuanhe Stadium in Haikou today (31 December), putting the cherry on top of Hainan’s cultural tourism success in 2023, GDF Plaza said.
In anticipation of the expected bump in visitor numbers, GDF Plaza is leveraging Hainan’s ‘concert economy’ and hosting a promotional campaign themed ‘Celebrating the New Year with Special Gifts’, offering exclusive New Year’s gifts to visitors.
The campaign aims to show off the charm of ‘culture + tourism’ integration and enable visitors to get the most from duty free shopping while enjoying the gala experience.
To create a festive ambience and celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Dragon, GDF Plaza has prepared special New Year’s treats for in-store shoppers.
Visitors can also participate in Alipay’s travel-related event to share their own shopping experiences, offering insights and suggestions on GDF Plaza’s services.
GDF Plaza said that with the New Year approaching, its primary focus during this campaign is on ‘new’ and ‘integrity’.
That approach involves innovative marketing, creating fresh consumer scenarios and connecting with new consumption areas. It is also offering new duty free products to drive consumption growth and serve a broader range of first-time consumers.
“Meanwhile, we prioritise conducting our business with integrity,” the company said. “Our commitment is to provide high-quality services for all visitors, ensuring they enjoy a distinctive and immersive shopping experience with us.”
Embracing more top-tier brands
As a key player in Hainan’s offshore duty free sector, GDF Plaza said it has consistently focused on introducing a diverse range of duty free products to appeal to more consumers.
During the year-end festivities, the retailer has welcomed an array of renowned watch brands including Emile Chouriet, Rotary, Bjorn Hendal, Codex, Rossini, Ernest Borel, and EBOHR.
In addition to luxury watch brands, prominent Chinese liquor brand Wuliangye is set to open a shop at GDF Plaza.
The move by the brand will expand GDF Plaza’s alcohol selection while supporting the global expansion of Chinese liquor, the retailer said.
Unwavering commitment to excellent service recognised
Earlier in December the Hainan Province Enterprise Confederation and Hainan Entrepreneur’s Association released their respective lists of the Top 100 Enterprises and Top 100 Businesses in Hainan in 2023.
GDF Plaza saw a rise of 16 places from last year, ranking 62nd among the Top 100 Enterprises in Hainan Province. Also, it claimed the 36th spot among the Top 50 Service Enterprises in Hainan Province, a five-place improvement over 2022.
GDF Plaza has been placed on lists for the Top 100 Enterprises, Top 100 Commercial Enterprises, and Top 50 Service Enterprises in Hainan Province.
GDF Plaza said that through 2023 it has stood fast by its service philosophy of ‘Integrity in Business, Excellence in Service’, expanding both its ecommerce and brick-and-mortar offerings and utilising the synergy between duty free and duty paid goods.
Leveraging big data in analysing consumption trends, the company has deepened its cooperation with brand partners. It has also implemented targeted marketing to provide consumers with a fresh shopping experience and satisfactory service, earning their confidence, the company claimed.
GDF Plaza said it will persist in its commitment to hard work and excellence, leverage regional and national policy, implement new development concepts, and continue to promote high-quality development.
“We aspire to set the benchmark for offshore duty free service as we strive to create an integrated shopping complex that brings together F&B, hotels, tours, and entertainment with shopping and demonstrate the excellence of Hainan’s offshore duty free sector to travellers worldwide,” the company said.
“As a state-owned enterprise, we are duty-bound to lead the way in expediting the establishment of an international tourism consumption centre and a distinctive Chinese Free Trade Port, bring the voice of Hainan to the world, and contribute to China’s modernisation,” GDF concluded. ✈
