CHINA. The fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (Hainan Expo) was held in Haikou from 13-18 April and The Moodie Davitt Report team was out in force with a five-strong team to cover the event highlights in words, photos and video.

We were the sole international travel retail publication to support what we see as a critical showcase for the Hainan offshore duty-free market and Free Trade Port programme.

Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie was joined at the Expo by two of our Hainan team – Chief China Representative Zhang Yimei and Moodie Davitt China Travel Retail Express (our daily WeChat platform) Editor Dachang Wang – alongside UK-based Publisher Irene Revilla and Brands Director Hannah Tan-Gillies.

The Hainan Expo was China’s first major international exhibition in 2024, carrying the theme ‘Share open opportunities, Co-create a better life’. More than 4,000 brands from some 71 countries/regions took part with over 55,000 buyers and other professional exhibitors.

Ireland was this year’s guest country of honour and showcased some 50 brands across a 762sq m exhibition area.

16 April

OK, we’ve seen plenty of livestreaming during the Hainan Expo but here, truly, is the craft taken to an interesting extreme, *writes Martin Moodie*. I chatted to this gentlemen as he was filming on no fewer than eight phone cameras. Just how (or why) he was managing such a creative process I have no idea but, hey, I tip my hat to him for ingenuity.

What an immense pleasure it was to catch up with Moleskine Head Southeast Asia & Oceania Sally Koh and Head of Greater China Winston Yuen, *writes Martin Moodie*. Moleskine ranks among my favourite brands, a preference based on the supremely intelligent way it combines traditional values of the written word (and what that word is written on) and modern technology.

Hainan IEDB Global Media Officer & Vice Director Ruslan Tulenov (centre), justifiably buoyant amid another successful Hainan Expo, is pictured here with colleagues from The Moodie Davitt Report, Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie and Brands Director Hannah Tan-Gillies

15 April

**Click here to open the 2024 Hainan Travel Retail Whitepaper**

The Moodie Davitt Report and KPMG China today jointly launched the 2024 Hainan Travel Retail Market Whitepaper.

This extensive report, unveiled at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (Hainan Expo) in Haikou this afternoon, offers a deep analysis of the Hainan travel retail business both within a China and global context.

With the 2025 ‘seal off’ of the island province approaching, the Whitepaper examines the repercussions for tourism-related retail.

The challenges and opportunities are presented and analysed in this key 40-page report, available to all readers of The Moodie Davitt Report on a complimentary basis via the link on this page.

The 2024 Whitepaper was officially launched by KPMG and The Moodie Davitt Report yesterday at the China High-end Consumer Goods Development Forum hosted by Hainan Daily Press Group and organised by Hinews – The Moodie Davitt Report’s strategic partner in Hainan province.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie told the audience: “The Moodie Davitt Report is proud to have again collaborated once more with KPMG China to produce a special Whitepaper dedicated to the Hainan offshore duty-free sector and Free Trade Port programme.

FOR OUR READERS IN CHINA

“KPMG is a renowned organisation of great global repute so it’s a special honour to work alongside them.

“Previous Whitepapers have underlined the extraordinary success of Hainan’s offshore duty-free programme introduced in 2011, and once more we celebrate that achievement, which as I have also said on many, many occasions ranks as the most far-sighted, consumer-orientated and business-supporting policy in the history of the global duty-free and travel retail sector.”

**The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie summarises some of the key findings of the Whitepaper at the Hinews conference yesterday**

**KPMG China, Hainan Office, Senior Partner Nicole Zhang outlines the Whitepaper’s critical importance to Hainan’s fast-evolving retail and economic landscape**

Later he noted: “The report concludes with a look at the trends that will drive Hainan’s offshore travel retail future – through a 2025 and beyond lens of course.

“We have been committed to Hainan and its offshore duty-free market since 2011. I have watched its development with a combination of admiration and astonishment and like others I have been delighted to see it stimulate the global travel retail market in the way it has, particularly during the dark days of COVID.

Today (15 April) at the opening of the new KPMG Hainan headquarters in Haikou, The Moodie Davitt Report and KPMG China formally signed their ongoing partnership for the Hainan Travel Retail Market Whitepaper. This study has evolved into a critical annual information and planning source for travel retail stakeholders in Hainan. Pictured above signing the agreement are KPMG China, Hainan Office, Senior Partner Nicole Zhang (left) and The Moodie Davitt Report Chief China Representative Zhang Yimei. Behind them are KPMG China Vice Chairman Ivan Li and The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie.

“We set up our own office here in Haikou last year headed by our Chief China Representative Zhang Yimei and now have a four-person team with plans to develop our unrivalled coverage further and help in our mission to bring China to the world and the world to China.”

Moodie offered special thanks to Generation Research, whose support of The Moodie Davitt Report’s contribution to the Whitepaper was invaluable.

**On an important day for KPMG China, Hainan Office, Senior Partner Nicole Zhang invites the audience to download the Whitepaper via a QR code**

(Above and below) The Moodie Davitt Report Chief China Representative Zhang Yimei told the audience about the company’s commitment to Hainan and the wider China market and introduced our market-leading publication and events portfolio

**Yimei also introduced our four-strong (and growing) Hainan team**

14 April – Pictures from an Exhibition

Behind the scenes as The Estée Lauder Companies Global President Travel Retail Israel Assa speaks to The Moodie Davitt Report Chief China Representative Zhang Yimei in an exclusive interview to be broadcast across our Chinese and English channels soon

Haikou-based independent videographer and film editor extraordinaire Alexander Roux looks on as Israel Assa outlines the US beauty powerhouse’s deep commitment to the Hainan and broader Chinese markets. Besides his general work for The Moodie Davitt Report and his fast-growing client base in Hainan, Alexander is a key talent in our newly launched Moodie Davitt STUDIO arm, dedicated to high-quality storytelling about brands, retailers, airports and other travel retail stakeholders. If you want your story told in compelling film fashion, Moodie Davitt STUDIO is your go-to option and Alexander your man.

**(Left) Alexander, a consummate professional, watches on carefully as the interview unfolds; (Right) Alexander and The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director extraordinaire Hannah Tan-Gillies**

**The Estée Lauder Companies boasts an elegant and expansive presence at the Hainan Expo, highlighting its powerful portfolio of brands in skincare, makeup, fragrance and haircare.**

**Origins is highlighting its natural formulations and sustainable packaging**

**(Left) Tom Ford and (right) Jo Malone London are brought to life via vivid displays that echo the values and aesthetics of each brand**

The Estée Lauder Companies recently opened a dazzling array of flagship boutiques at the Global Beauty Plaza (Block C) at the cdf Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex. The boutiques were the subject of our latest Moodie Davitt Spotlight Series eZine.

**(Left) The Estée Lauder Companies Global President Travel Retail Israel Assa and (right) The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie after the film interview**

(Left) The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie joined (right) Cellcosmet China General Manager Julia Sun for a livestream. Moodie told the audience about The Moodie Davitt Report’s role and dedication to China while describing how Cellcosmet’s fascinating history, authenticity and provenance appeals to him as a story teller.

Martin Moodie and Julia Sun chat about Hainan, travel retail and what matters to consumers today. Shun later introduced the brand’s bestsellers in Hainan. These include the Cellcosmet Cleanse Trio, UltraCell Intensive and the Precious Mask. The livestream soared to number three in Hainan at its peak.

(Left to right) The Moodie Davitt Report Chief China Representative Zhang Yimei, Martin Moodie and Julia Sun pose for a photo after a hugely successful livestream, which reached a record audience for the brand

**British fashion house Burberry is making a big fashion statement with a sprawling stand that highlights its key motifs and hero pieces including the classic Burberry trench coat**

**An impressive array of Made-in-Britain brands, including wellness brand This Works and shoe brand Loake, is being showcased at the Great Britain & Northern Ireland pavilion**

Coty is exhibiting at the Hainan Expo for the third year running, shining the spotlight on its roster of fragrance and skincare brands. Highlights include Gucci, Chloé, Burberry, Lancaster and Hugo Boss, which have all recently opened stores or counters at the Global Beauty Plaza in Block C of the cdf Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex

(Left to right) The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie, Coty Senior Vice President Global Travel Retail Guilhem Souche and The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan-Gillies catch up for a quick photo opportunity outside the Coty pavilion

**American fashion brand Coach is highlighting its *Coachtopia* sustainability programme, which uses recycled materials to make colourful new bags**

**Italian luxury house Dolce & Gabbana dazzles in gold with an impressive pavilion showcasing its newest couture offerings**

**The French Pavilion recreates a classic Parisian arcade at the Hainan Expo. Brands featured include Lancôme and Lalique.**

**A traditional Irish riverdance performance entertains Expo visitors at the Irish Pavilion. Ireland is the special guest country of the Hainan Expo for 2024.**

**What better way to immerse expo visitors into Irish culture than by bringing an Irish Pub to life?**

13 April – Pictures from an Exhibition

US beauty powerhouse The Estée Lauder Companies is underlining its long-term commitment to the Hainan offshore duty-free market with its fourth consecutive showing at the Expo. Underlining that commitment, Global President Travel Retail Israel Assa (pictured centre back) is here alongside a large team. The impressive stand showcases the group’s expansive portfolio across the key beauty categories.

Haikou-based videographer and film editor Alexander Roux is a key member of the newly formed Moodie Davitt STUDIO team. This week he is filming with us, including a special project with The Estée Lauder Companies, anchored by an exclusive interview with Global President Travel Retail Israel Assa.

**The production team includes Chen Ming (‘Mao’), pictured right, who takes care of a wide range of production details, including sub-titling for our Chinese-English productions**

Spanish fragrance house Puig is bringing its dazzling portfolio of niche fragrance and beauty brands to the Hainan Expo. Highlights include Penhaligon’s, Byredo, L’Artisan Parfumeur and Christian Louboutin.

**British fragrance house Penhaligon’s is bringing its whimsical and ecclectic storytelling to the Hainan Expo with a special focus on its Potions & Remedies and Portraits lines**

**Kweichow Moutai, one of the main sponsors of the Hainan Expo and the world’s biggest liquor brand, is making a big statement with its presence at the Expo**

Hainan’s travel retail juggernaut, China Tourism Group Duty Free Corporation, once again has an impressive presence at the Expo with this expansive exhibition space in Pavilion 5. Look out for our extensive coverage coming soon.

**The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie (left) was honoured to join the Hainan Development Holdings & Global Premium Duty Free (GDF) Plaza opening ceremony**

“I congratulate Hainan Development Holdings and GDF Plaza not only on this illustrious opening but on all that you have achieved since your Haikou store opened in Mova Mall back in January 2021,” said The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie.

“It has been a long and eventful journey since that landmark event but it has also been an enriching and fruitful one and GDF Plaza has grown in stature to become a highly respected retailer within the global travel retail community. And also a critical part of Hainan’s world-leading Free Trade Port programme.

“The Hainan offshore duty-free industry stands as a shining example of far-sighted and supportive government policy and of treating travellers as special guests not simply as statistics.

“GDF Plaza’s success also stands as an outstanding case of collaboration between local government; collaboration with outstanding private partners in the form of Avolta – formerly Dufry – and Alibaba; and collaboration with great international and Chinese brands.”