On top of the world: Chinese state media salutes China Duty Free Group’s world number one Moodie Davitt Report travel retailer ranking

CHINA. Powerful state media Global Times has applauded China Duty Free Group’s (CDFG) achievement in becoming the world’s number one travel retailer by 2020 sales according to The Moodie Davitt Report’s annual rankings.

Describing The Moodie Davitt Report as “the global travel retail industry’s authoritative media”, Global Times noted that as the channel was hit by the pandemic, CDFG adjusted its focus in time to seize opportunities during the crisis.

It continued: “The huge market return has further activated CDFG’s new momentum for innovation and development. With the strong support of its parent company, China Tourism Group, CDFG is actively participating in the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port, and continues to consolidate the five major capabilities of procurement, operation, channel expansion, digitalisation and marketing.”

Global Times commented: “At the supply level, by virtue of its first-mover advantage, CDFG has established good cooperative relationships with more than 1,000 well-known brands around the world. Due to relationships of strong trust, CDFG has continued to accelerate the pace of expanding its brand-rich portfolio.

“On a service level, CDFG is proactively providing consumers with a full range of shopping services pre-trip, during and post-trip. It has rapidly expanded the duty free business area and added new category specialty stores. The pick-up service in Hainan, together with the launch of several promotional activities, and the implementation of a ‘mail and home delivery’ service have all been implemented to continuously meet the new needs of consumers.”

The report noted: “It is not difficult to see that by on the one hand, deepening cooperation between partners and providing global brands with preferred channels to enter the Chinese duty free market, and on the other hand, consolidating consumer services and continuously enriching the consumer shopping experience, CDFG’s core competitive advantages have become increasingly prominent.”

Global Times cited The Moodie Davitt Report’s extensive coverage of the Hainan offshore duty free market, quoting our observation that “Driven by Hainan’s enhanced offshore duty free shopping policy, CDFG is set to consolidate its leading position.”

Global Times continued: “Continuing to strengthen communication with industry partners and introducing more high-quality brands and products to the Chinese market through cooperation and innovation will become CDFG’s constant goal.”

China Duty Free Group is the exclusive Strategic Cooperation Partner for the Virtual Travel Retail Expo (11-15 October).

Excitingly, CDFG will have its own digital zone called CDFG City, to showcase both current and planned projects.

A gateway presence to CDFG City will feature in both the Hainan Discovery zone and the Retailer Emporium, both new additions to the 2021 Expo.

The CDFG management, buying, branding and merchandising teams will be out in full force at the Expo, both within CDFG City and also visiting the various brand exhibitors.

Note: For detailed analysis of the Hainan offshore duty free market, we recommend Oriental Travel Retail Observer (OTRO) available by subscription (see panel below) on a one-off basis or discounted annual fee for 12 editions via the ‘Friends of Moodie Davitt’ special offer below.

OTRO is a research and publishing alliance between Jessica’s Secret, China Merchants Securities, and law firm Jincheng Tongda & Neal. The Moodie Davitt Report works closely with Jessica’s Secret, having developed the popular Jessica’s Secret Index with the fast-growing Shanghai-based company.

OTRO, launched in July 2020, is a first for China’s travel retail industry in presenting regular industry research, big data analysis, Chinese consumer surveys, and legal opinions.