CHINA. The Moodie Davitt Report is attending this week’s China International Consumer Products Expo (Hainan Expo) in Haikou and will bring you highlights in words and pictures throughout the event, which began on Monday (13 April) and runs until 18 April.
We are sharing a joint exhibition platform (Hall 5, Booth 5T05) in collaboration with Hainan International Economic Development Bureau (IEDB) and seven innovative brands across multiple categories.
We invite visitors to meet us in Hall 5 on Booth 5T05.
{The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie cannot attend the Expo this year due to family circumstances. Nor can company President Dermot Davitt who is running the retail sessions at Seatrade Cruise Global, the premier annual gathering of the cruise industry worldwide, in Miami this week. But both Martin and Dermot are there in spirit with our many Chinese friends in Haikou. Thanks to the genius of our close collaborator Mirko Wang, Founder of Jessica’s Secret, and the wonders of AI, this short film reimagines Martin and Dermot on site alongside Yimei, discovering the wonders of the Hainan Expo.}
15 April
14 April
CNSC spotlights ‘duty-free + health’ model at Hainan Expo
China National Service Corporation (CNSC) is spotlighting its core wellness and health ranges, alongside emerging duty-free categories, including pet supplies and musical instruments at the Hainan Expo. It is exhibiting in Hall 5 within the ‘Duty Free and High-end Consumer Goods Zone’.
The Sinopharm-owned travel retailer’s pavilion departs from traditional retail formats, presenting a ‘Healthy Lifestyle District’ that combines duty-free shopping, health experiences and wellness services in a street-style layout.
A highlight of the showcase is the introduction of two new duty-free categories: musical instruments and pet care.
Musical instruments are presented in the channel for the first time, with a Fender electric guitar activation drawing strong visitor engagement through live performances.
The company is preparing to launch China’s first duty-free Fender musical instrument store at CNSC Sanya International Duty Free Plaza.
In addition, CNSC is diversifying its pet care offer beyond basic consumables into technology-led solutions. Mao & An’s AI-powered smart collar, capable of monitoring pets’ heart rate, breathing and emotional state in real time, is among the stand-out products at its stand.
Other highlights include a gold retail zone anchored by China Chic brands such as TSL, 3D-GOLD and Luk Fook. This sits alongside a fragrance and liquor area with duty-free pricing and immediate purchase available.
In partnership with the number one Chinese baiju brand Kweichow Moutai, CNSC is showcasing a selection of rare spirits, including a limited-edition 2025 World Expo commemorative release.
CNSC is debuting seven new products developed in collaboration Sinopharm Health and Sinopharm Wellness. These spotlight innovative nutritional technology with the launch of products designed to lead what the company calls the ‘brain health revolution’.
At the Hainan Expo, CNSC is reinforcing its ‘duty-free + health’ model by signing strategic cooperation agreements with seven partners across jewellery, musical instruments, pet technology, mobility services, premium liquor, pearls and community lifestyle services.
The company is also extending its Hainan Expo presence beyond the exhibition floor through a dual-city activation linking the Haikou exhibition with the CNSC Sanya International Duty Free Plaza.
The Sanya location features a dedicated Hainan Expo promotional zone, exclusive offers for badge holders and a programme of themed activities designed to drive footfall and engagement.
CDFG puts the spotlight on “culture, commerce, sports, tourism and health”
China Duty Free Group (CDFG) is exhibiting at the Hainan Expo for the sixth consecutive year.
CDFG-parent company China Tourism Group (CTG) Director and General Manager Fan Yunjun delivered a stirring keynote address to mark the official opening of the Hainan Expo.
In his address, Fan said the Hainan Expo is the first major national exhibition since the Hainan Free Trade Port launched its island-wide special customs operations in late 2025.
Fan noted that CTG and CDFG, with Hainan as its primary focus, are seizing this historical opportunity by deepening the integration of duty-free and cultural tourism. By introducing over 100 brands and major traffic IPs to Hainan, the group is leading trends while supporting the high-quality development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
He emphasised the company’s commitment to “doing business in good faith and providing quality services,” while using the ‘Shopping in China’ platform to connect global markets and support domestic brand innovation.
CDFG is showcasing its latest innovations at its ‘wave-breaking vessel’ booth in Hall 5. The striking pavilion follows the theme ‘Rising from Hainan to resonate with the world’.
The space integrates an ‘exhibition + experience + consumption’ format. It features a curated mix of global brands across luxury, watches & jewellery, beauty, electronics and spirits & wine.
The Hainan Expo programme includes a high-level forum titled ‘New chapter for the duty-free market: Global brands on the future of the Chinese duty-free market,’ on 14 April, co-hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report and IEDB (scroll down for full details).
CDFG Chief Marketing Officer Matt Liao will join discussions on opportunities arising from the the Free Trade Port’s policies.
Complementing its presence at the Hainan Expo, CDFG is also running the 6th cdf Watch Carnival in Hainan. According to CDFG, the festival is designed to drive engagement through exclusive offers, brand activations and immersive experiences across six of the retailer’s stores in Hainan.
The event features over 70 world-renowned jewellery and watch brands with a focus on limited editions and rare archival timepieces.
Looking ahead, CDFG said it will continue to build on the momentum of the Hainan Free Trade Port, focusing on innovation, supply optimisation and integrated retail-tourism development to support the evolution of China’s travel retail sector.
Hainan Development Holdings focuses on Hainan-first releases and new technologies
Hainan Development Holdings Co and Global Premium Duty Free (GDF Plaza) have returned in style to the Hainan Expo.
The retailer’s pavilion follows the theme ‘Gilded Joy for a Better Life’, which combines Eastern-inspired design with contemporary digital elements.
Hainan Development Holdings has partnered with more than 50 premium brands from 12 countries to showcase over 100 products across categories including beauty, wines and spirits, pet care, consumer electronics and smart home solutions.
The breadth and scale of the assortment represent the company’s largest presence at the exhibition to date.
A key theme of this year’s showcase is new technologies. Highlights include smart devices, connected lifestyle products and experiential innovations.
An immersive zone invites Expo visitors to interact with products through digital interfaces and sensory installations that highlight products from Apple, Huawei, DJI and Xiaomi.
Gamification, brand-led workshops and curated tasting experiences enhance the experience at the pavilion. These are complemented by off-site activations at GDF Plaza where a ‘CICPE Limited Brand Week’ offers incentives such as vouchers, loyalty rewards and time-limited promotions.
In addition, Hainan Development Holdings has unveiled a new fragrance in collaboration with Chinese fragrance powerhouse Eternal Group. It also recently struck a partnership with domestic pet food brand One Opinion, marking an expansion into the fast-growing pet segment.
The partnership will introduce a range of pet nutrition and care products into China travel retail with upcoming product launches scheduled for May.
HTDF spotlights exclusive launches and digitally powered retail
Located at Hall 5, Booth 5T14, HTDF’s presence follows the theme ‘Set Sail for Hainan Your Year-Round Journey with HTDF’.
The theme reflects the company’s ambition to support the development of Hainan as a premium duty-free shopping destination within the Hainan Free Trade Port framework.
HTDF is presenting a curated selection of global brands, exclusive products and tech-driven retail experiences designed to enhance engagement and drive premiumisation.
Elsewhere, a dedicated single malt whisky tasting zone offers samples from Springbank, Longrow and Kilchoman.
As reported, The Moodie Davitt Report and IEDB will co-host a major industry seminar titled ‘Empowered by Customs Closure – A New Chapter for Duty-Free: Global Brands Discuss the Future of China’s Duty-Free Market’ on 14 April from 2-4pm.
From niche segments to broader global trends, our shared exhibition space is showcasing a diverse mix of categories, spanning food, spirits & wine, skincare, accessories and lifestyle.
American healthy food brand ChocZero, known for its ‘zero added sugar’ positioning, will make its Hainan market debut, aligning with the growing demand for functional foods.
Representing the premium wine segment is Leyda, recognised for its cool-climate vineyards and emphasis on terroir expression.
K-beauty brand AHC is also joining the line-up alongside tech-driven skincare brand Kelo.Cell from Germany, with a focus on mass-market efficacy and ingredient innovation, respectively.
German jewellery brand Coeur de Lion will present its handmade collections, which combine geometric aesthetics with nature-inspired elements.
BPrime, an Italian producer of handmade bags and luggage, will spotlight its lightweight designs and travel-focused scenarios, aligning with lifestyle trends among younger travellers.
Global mobile accessories brand CASETiFY will showcase its product range, with an emphasis on personalisation, customisation and brand collaborations.
This will be the first time CASETiFY, BPrime and Coeur de Lion enter the Hainan market, reflecting international brands’ growing confidence in the Hainan Free Trade Port’s development potential.
Their participation further reinforces the expo’s role as a key platform for brands launching into the market, and reflects Hainan’s growing appeal within the global retail landscape.
As Free Trade Port policies advance, duty-free shopping conditions improve and the consumer base becomes more optimised, Hainan is offering international brands clearer prospects and broader market opportunities.
By leveraging the IEDB×The Moodie Davitt Report Emerging Brand Incubation Zone, the partners are streamlining brand entry through coordinated media, policy and platform support.
It is designed to move brands from ‘showcase and debut’ to ‘market connection’, offering a reference model for attracting international consumer brands to Hainan. 🏝️
