CHINA. As reported, China Duty Free Group (CDFG) today celebrated the inauguration of its new duty free store at Haikou Meilan International Airport Terminal 2. We extend our coverage of the opening with an on location report drawn from Hainan Hinews Media Co, The Moodie Davitt Report’s strategic partner in Hainan.
The opening of the 9,313sq m third floor space (trading as Haikou Meilan Airport T2 Duty Free Shop) means CDFG, part of China Tourism Group, now enjoys full coverage across both T1 and T2.
To celebrate the grand opening, the CDFG-run Haikou Meilan Airport Duty Free Shop is offering a range of attractive discounts and deals for one week. A CDFG Diamond Tier Membership Card and a gift package valued at CNY888 (US$140) were also presented to the first customer to purchase at the newly opened T2 store.
In addition, customers can receive cash rebates for as much as CNY3,888 (US$610) per receipt from 2-9 December depending on their level of spend. Customers with the highest spends of the day in this period receive 5,888 loyalty points, equivalent to CNY5,888, which can be instantly redeemed for shopping.
Other highlights include flash sales and extra discounts on perfumes, cosmetics, fashion, watches and electronics. A promotion of CNY160 (US$25) off per CNY500 (US$78) spend applies to most products on top of the extra -30% discount on selected brands. Some models of the highly anticipated new iPhone 13 are also on sale.
According to Hainan Hinews, the first customers to arrive at the duty free stores were satisfied with the shopping experience. Ms Wang from Shenzhen shopped for her favourite masks, skincare, and perfumes before boarding her flight. She suggested that “it would be fantastic if they could provide massage chairs and offer items of the same category in the same area.”
She spoke highly of the service provided as well as the spacious shopping area. Among the first travellers to make a liquor purchase, a Mr Chen was also pleased with the promotions offered in T2. A bottle of Rémy Martin priced at CNY770 (US$120) in-store compared favourably with the regular retail price of CNY1,000. Alongside a buy two, get -10% off promotion and 6x loyalty points, Chen added more products to his shopping basket.
CDFG offers a wide array of cosmetics, fragrances, fashion and luxury boutiques, watches, jewellery, wines & spirits, food & confectionery, consumer technology and other categories.
A ‘purchase and pick-up’ model allows customers to take the goods onboard their aircraft after completing the transaction. CDFG also offers a range of support services, including duty free pick-up, duty free mailing, and invoicing.
Signage in Terminal 2 also guides travellers to various shopping pick-up points, which represent an important convenience element alongside bargain prices, noted Hainan Hinews. T2 currently houses three pickup points: Pick-up Point 1 exclusive to CDFG is at the centre of the terminal. Pick-up Points 2 and 3, which serves other duty free retailers including Times DF and HTDF, are at each end of the terminal.
Hainan Hinews also interviewed Mr Zhang, a frequent traveller picking up his purchases, and an employee of CDFG at the pick-up point. Zhang said: “There’s no queue here today, and I can pick up my order by simply swiping my ID card. This is very efficient.” Zhang said he is used to purchasing duty free products at the airport as he travels a lot for business. He pointed out that compared with Terminal 1, pick-up points at Terminal 2 are well-furbished and less crowded.
Employees working at the pick-up points also find it more convenient when serving the customers. “We have eight counters at Terminal 2,” said an employee of CDFG, “and we have better equipment and facilities here. For example, the bar scanners are upgraded from wired to wireless and this improves our efficiency.”
*The original report was filed by Hainan Hinews Media Co reporter Su Liang. Click here for the original Chinese language story from Hainan Hinews Media Co.
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