CHINA. Hainan Development Holdings’ (HDH) Global Premium Duty Free (GDF) Plaza is enjoying a high-profile presence at the fifth edition of the China International Consumer Products Expo (Hainan Expo) this week in Haikou (13-18 April).
The Moodie Davitt Report is the only travel retail media present, represented by Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie (who spoke at the HDH/GDF show opening ceremony; Chief China Representative Zhang Yimei and China Travel Retail Express Editor Dachang Wang.
Look out for our daily WeChat updates on China Travel Retail Express* while Martin Moodie will present an overview and highlights of the event on this website in coming days.
Marking its fifth consecutive appearance at the event, this year’s exhibition features eight immersive zones and over 100 premium products from across different categories.
These are complemented by strategic partnerships with Tmall Global and AD Investment (a joint venture between Alibaba Group and Avolta) to expand offerings, drive consumer engagement and accelerate development in the Hainan Free Trade Port.
Themed ‘Flowers bloom all the way’, the pavilion features a dynamic design, guiding visitors through eight distinct thematic zones, covering categories including new products, outdoor sports, high-tech bicycles, cosmetics & fragrances, and wine & spirits.
A dedicated space for hi-tech gear showcases trending outdoor lifestyles including cycling, surfing and skiing, featuring a diverse array of professional sports equipment and stylish design pieces from Japan, the US, South Korea and Hong Kong.
The company is also leveraging this exhibition to deepen its collaboration with industry leaders to foster the full-cycle development of hi-tech, eco-friendly composite bicycles in Hainan, from R&D to sales and competitions, sparking a revival in hi-tech sports product consumption.
GDF Plaza is also presenting over 170 premium products from around the world, with over 40 product launches – 30% making their debut in China, bolstering the Hainan Expo’s standing as a premier global product launch platform.
Notable introductions include Hainan’s first appearances of Acca Kappa, Roos & Roos, and Phyto, as well as the national debut of French spa brand Payot.
During the opening ceremony, the retailer signed an agreement with Tmall Global to launch a multi-brand store at GDF Plaza, offering premium outdoor gear.
This collaboration allows access to Tmall’s vast supply chain, spanning more than 90 countries, 7,000 categories, and 46,000 premium brands, enabling real-time global price alignment.
In addition, the retailer and AD Investment will co-develop a major travel retail project at Sanya Phoenix International Airport T3 terminal, offering fragrances, luxury goods, watches & jewellery, food & confectionery, and consumer electronics.
By integrating omnichannel retail and cross-category synergies, the alliance will establish two-way commerce flows, positioning Hainan as a gateway for international brands to tap China’s domestic demand while accessing worldwide markets.
This model reflects China’s ‘dual circulation’ strategy, stimulating local consumption through imported luxury goods while expanding global trade connections.
The retailer also rolled out promotions such as flash sales and Apple product subsidies, alongside same-day pick-up services for duty-free shoppers.
In her opening ceremony speech, HDH Deputy General Manager Dai San’e said: “Moving forward, HDH will continue to manage GDF Plaza under the philosophy of ‘differentiated offerings’, focusing on global luxury goods and debut products. We aim to expand our brand portfolio, striving to establish GDF Plaza as the leading duty free shopping destination in the Hainan Free Trade Port.
“We invite global brands to deepen collaboration with GDF Plaza, enriching the offshore duty free market. We also hope to see expo attendees take this opportunity to engage with HDH, explore partnership prospects, and join us in seizing the vast opportunities of the Hainan Free Trade Port for mutual success.”
Martin Moodie told guests: “GDF Plaza has achieved much in those four years, despite often very testing market conditions. It has done that through a combination of commitment, collaboration – via strong partnerships with brands, with local government, and with Ali Baba and Dufry (Avolta) – innovation and constant promotion of the duty-free offer.
“We recently reported on GDF Plaza’s fourth anniversary – showing fantastic images of a multi-dimensional shopping extravaganza. Such imagination is going to be critical going forward if duty-free retailers are going to continue to excite and engage with Hainan visitors.”
He concluded: “The future can be golden if Hainan retailers combine the inherent attractions of duty-free shopping with a wider cultural proposition – so-called ‘Duty-Free + – and therefore help to maintain relevance and allure long into the future.
“A good example was the wonderful GDF ‘Poetry and Wine Garden’ fair in late 2024 that so brilliantly integrated cultural and tourism elements with diversified entertainment and shopping experiences.
“Not only did this drive consumption but it underlined how travel retail must extend beyond the transactional to the experiential while promoting high-quality economic and cultural development across Hainan Province.”
Echoing the fifth Hainan Expo’s theme of ‘Sharing Open Opportunities’, a company representative highlighted GDF Plaza’s commitment to innovating through ‘duty-free + wellness’ and ‘duty-free + technology’ concepts, as part of the broader efforts to position Hainan as a leading international shopping and lifestyle destination. 🏝️
