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FRANCE. Société de Distribution Aéroportuaire (SDA), the joint venture between Aéroports de Paris and LS travel retail France, has announced that 101 stores at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport have received the China Outbound Tourism Quality Service Supplier (QSC) certification.
SDA is first European travel retailer to receive the endorsement, which identifies operators who provide a high quality of service to Chinese tourists. Recognition is based on strict evaluation of services provided to Chinese travellers against several criteria.
The endorsement includes Buy Paris Duty Free, Buy Paris Collection and all mono-brand stores managed by SDA at the airport.
Aéroports de Paris Head of Retail Mathieu Daubert noted: “In 2013 we welcomed over 2.1 million passengers coming from and going to China (including Hong Kong), which corresponds to an increase of +5.5% compared to 2012. For several years now, we have learnt to better understand our Chinese customers to constantly better welcome them in our stores.”
SDA Chief Executive Officer Guy Bodescot said: “We are very honoured by this certification. Firstly, the Chinese authorities recognise the efforts in adapting to our customers’ needs in terms of the language, the culture, commercial offers, payment methods and in-store hospitality.
“Certification [also] complements and makes official all the advantages that we offer to our Chinese customers: the removal of duty on the first Euro, a collection of safe points-of-sale and a definite price advantage compared to the town centre… We are the first large-scale shopping centre in France and in Paris to get such recognition.”
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Offering wine tasting to Chinese customers is just one of the factors contributing to the certification being awarded |
SDA runs several initiatives to ensure Chinese customers are offered a high-quality shopping experience. For example, nearly 100 Chinese-speaking sales consultants are employed in its store network. And a partnership with Ctrip, a major travel player in China, also entitles members of the “Shopping Chic with Ctrip” programme to an exclusive gift.
Shops host exclusive campaigns during the Chinese New Year and Golden Week. Promotions displayed on digital screens offer a -10% discount to those who have a China UnionPay credit card or to spend more than €200 in Buy Paris Duty Free or more than €500 in Buy Paris Collection stores.
Buy Paris Duty Free has also been offering Chinese customers the chance to take part in wine tasting in the wine cellars of its stores throughout the year. The service is available by reservation with tour operator partners of Aéroports de Paris. The store was also an official partner for the 50-year celebrations of Franco-Chinese relations in January 2014.
