CHINA. Zhuhai Duty Free Group (ZDFG) has boosted its fast-growing retail portfolio after being awarded the arrivals duty-free concession at Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport in Guangdong province.
The award follows the opening of ZDFG’s departures duty-free store at the same airport in January 2025.
It marks a new step for the group in seizing the opportunities presented by the new government policy issued in January to establish 41 additional arrivals duty-free shops across the country, the retailer said.
Located in the heart of Chaoshan region in Guangdong, Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport is a key aviation hub serving the eastern Guangdong area, southwestern Fujian, and parts of southeastern Jiangxi.
Operational since 15 December 2011, the airport has undergone multiple upgrades, including runway extension, apron expansion, and terminal enlargement.
The runway now stretches 3,200 metres, upgrading the airfield to 4E standards. The expanded terminal covers over 110,000sq m, capable of serving 14.5 million passengers and over 90,000 tonnes of cargo annually, with 100,000 aircraft movements.
In recent years, with improved regional transport connectivity and expanded flight routes, the airport has seen steady passenger growth and rising consumption potential. Last year, it managed 81,000 aircraft movements and served 10.23 million passengers, including approximately 292,500 international travellers, providing a solid market foundation for duty-free operations.
ZDFG said that as one of China’s oldest duty-free retailers, it has long focused on port duty-free services, accumulating operational experience across land, sea, and air ports. This latest win is a strategic move to optimise its port duty-free network and expand airport duty-free operations, the company said.
The arrivals store, covering about 100sq m, will be tailored to passenger profiles, traffic flow and shopping needs, Zhuhai Duty Free. Preparations are underway for product assortment, space design, operations, and service support. The group pledged to offer inbound travellers a more convenient, high-quality and diverse duty-free experience, it added.
With the departures store already open and the arrivals concession now secured, ZDFG said it will establish a fully integrated duty-free service system at Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport. This is designed to enhance passenger convenience, boost the airport’s duty-free consumption capacity, and lay a stronger foundation for its expansion into eastern Guangdong and regional airport operations.
As national policies continue to refine duty-free retail and upgrade consumption scenarios, port duty-free operations are enjoying new opportunities, the company pointed out.
Capitalising on this win, ZDFG plans to leverage its brand value, integration capabilities, supply chain strengths, and port expertise to advance the store’s opening and operations, steadily elevating duty-free service standards at the airport.
“Looking into the future, we will continue to seize opportunities arising from policy optimisation, consumption recovery, and the rising status of regional transport hubs,” Zhuhai Duty Free pledged.
We are committed to further refining our port duty-free network, enriching product offerings, enhancing operational precision, and contributing to the continuous upgrade of regional duty-free experience,” it added. ✈
