CHINA. Tomorrow (21 December) cdf Haikou Meilan Airport Duty Free store will celebrate its 12th anniversary.
That historic day in 2011 marked the opening of the first airport duty free store under Hainan’s then new offshore duty free policy. China Duty Free Group (CDFG) described the inauguration as a signal of the policy’s successful implementation in airport retail.
The number 12 has a special significance in traditional Chinese culture, CDFG pointed out. Commonly used in the Chinese zodiac and ordinal system, it is a number that signifies a full cycle.
To celebrate its anniversary, cdf Meilan has unveiled a series of promotions and activities to thank customers for their support over the past 12 years.
With the theme ‘Love, Always’, the celebrations include discounts, lucky draws and exclusive gifts across all categories. Special decorations are designed to create an immersive ambience, further elevating the retail experience.
12 years of continuous evolution
As more supportive offshore duty free policies were introduced in the years that followed the 2011 opening, cdf Meilan has enjoyed increasing influence in the sector and brought new energy to the island’s tourism industry and commercial economy, CDFG said.
The store, occupying over 17,000sq m in the sterile area of Haikou Meilan International Airport, has become a highly popular offshore duty free shopping destination for tourists, CDFG said.
Since the initial policy’s introduction on 20 April 2011, Hainan’s offshore duty free regulations have undergone several rounds of adjustments, with the per-capita allowance rising from CNY5,000 (US$705) in 2011 to the current CNY100,000 (US$14,100).
As of 16 October 2023, Haikou Customs has overseen a total of CNY202.4 billion (US$28.6 billion) in offshore duty free revenue, involving 268 million items bought by 37.2 million shoppers.
The number of offshore duty free stores on the island now stands at 12, with a combined operations area of 520,000sq m.
The number of brands at the store has grown from just a few dozen to over 600, while the floor space has expanded from an initial 637sq m to more than 17,000sq m.
Today, passengers, whether departing from T1 or T2, can choose from over 40,000 duty free products across 45 categories, from beauty, electronics and jewellery and watches, to handbags and leather goods.
Meanwhile, a range of recently introduced new methods – including ‘buy and pick-up’, mail delivery and ‘pick-up upon return’ – have made duty free shopping easier than ever for customers, CDFG said.
At cdf Meilan, shoppers can now enjoy the convenience of taking all purchased items directly onto the plane, the retailer added.
12 years of consistent quality
To satisfy consumers’ diverse demands for high-quality products and services, cdf Meilan has been striving to build a world-class mix of retail offerings, CDFG commented.
Recently, for example, The Macallan launched its new Colour Collection at cdf Meilan. Meanwhile, the Cartier boutique at Haikou Meilan Airport, which opened this January, represents the luxury brand’s first airport store in Mainland China to offer a full product range.
cdf Meilan also welcomed a new Hennessy flagship store on 11 November. This is the brand’s largest airport flagship store in China and the 18th luxury brand boutique that has found a home at cdf Meilan since T2 was opened.
“Whether it’s cosmetics, watches or luggage, shoppers at cdf Meilan can find a wide variety of duty “free-exclusive products that are not available anywhere else,” CDFG said.
“As an integral part of Hainan’s offshore duty free ecosystem, cdf Meilan stays committed to CDFG’s motto of ‘trusted business operation and excellent services’, and promises to continuously innovate and bring the best retail experiences to customers.”
To this end, the retailer works closely with high-end luxury brands in staff training, with the goal of enhancing the employees’ professional knowledge and skills.
As a result, a number of cdf Meilan’s sales representatives have won national and regional awards. In addition, the store has fully implemented CDFG’s ASC (Attention, Sincere and Care) service system and integrated customer service system, which connects six of the retailer’s stores.
cdf Meilan has also improved the consumer shopping experience through the addition of duty free service desks at T1 and T2 and other service enhancement measures.
“We want to bring a heartwarming experience to every traveller and bid them farewell with a smile,” cdf Meilan said.
Hao Zhiqiang, member of the Hainan Duty Free Party Committee, Party Branch Secretary and Executive Deputy General Manager of cdf Haikou Meilan Airport Duty Free Store, said the 12th anniversary celebration provides an excellent opportunity for the store to promote Hainan’s offshore duty free sector and treat travellers with a wide array of attractive shopping benefits.
“With the robust support from China Tourism Group and CDFG, cdf Meilan continues to leverage the advantages of the airport’s unique business model and further develop its capabilities in procurement, operations, channel expansion, digitalisation and marketing,” he said.
“We will keep expanding the range of products and categories on offer, introducing new brands, accelerating store upgrades and improving every aspect of our service.
“In addition to continuously bringing high-quality products and services to our customers, we strive to inject new vitality into the development of Hainan Free Trade Port and contribute to the island’s tourism and hospitality industry.” ✈
