Grand Opening ceremony

Speaking at the opening ceremony, China International Travel Service General Manager Peng Hui said: “Sales at Duty Zero by cdf have been robust since the soft opening in November last year. Within months of commencing business, our sales revenue has already reached beyond projections, coming as a huge encouragement to us.

“Duty Zero by cdf is the fruit of the collaboration between China Duty Free Group and Lagardère Travel Retail as we put into service the four advantages we enjoy as the world’s major travel retail companies. By offering a wide array of product collections, a new pricing model, engaging interactive experience, and quality customer service, we offer travellers a brand new shopping experience at HKIA. We believe that in the near future, Duty Zero by cdf will extend its brand and operations to many more international airports and become the premier liquor and tobacco choice for travellers from China and around the globe.”

In a prepared statement, Lagardère Travel Retail Chairman & CEO Dag Rasmussen commented: “Our successful partnership is rooted in a shared passion for excellence and innovation, a vision based on trust and openness. We believe that by bringing complementary expertise, we are able to do extraordinary things. We have combined China Duty Free Group’s unparalleled experience of Chinese consumers with Lagardère Travel Retail’s international experience and global understanding of travellers.”

Airport Authority Hong Kong CEO Fred Lam told guests: “This is the 20th anniversary of our airport having moved to Chek Lap Kok and in these 20 years our airport’s passenger throughput has increased tremendously from slightly over 20 million to last year’s 33 million. We expect this number to continue to grow significantly in the future, especially with the completion of the third runway project.

“In order to serve our passengers better, our terminal is undergoing a series of renovations as well as all sorts of new initiatives. As part of this new plan we have also introduced a new liquor & tobacco concession in our airport.

“We’re very glad that this concession is now run by a very strong joint venture between two of the world’s most renowned travel retail companies. We have a lot of high hopes that Duty Zero will bring an unparalleled passenger shopping experience to our airport in the future.”

Lagardère Travel Retail China CEO Eudes Fabre spoke in both English and Chinese at the inauguration. He told guests: “Lagardère Travel Retail is one of the world’s largest travel retail companies with a major presence in most of the world’s large airports. We’ve also been a long-term partner of China Duty Free Group. We are very happy today to together bring this phenomenal project to life.

“It’s been seven to eight months of long and hard work by all the teams involved. In this joint venture with China Duty Free Group our objective has been to bring the best of our expertise in the management of international wines, spirits and Champagne.

“We really worked hard to bring something new, something different and something unique to Hong Kong Airport, whether it be in terms of retail concept, service or product. We have many new and exclusive products that are only available at Hong Kong Airport and I can tell already that passengers and customers here in Hong Kong are seeing the difference and are voting with their money.”

The Grand Opening of Duty Zero by cdf is celebrated in traditional style by VIPs representing various stakeholders and key brand partners.

Pictured (left to right) above and below are:

Laurent de Boidevezi, President & Regional Director for AFME, LATAM & Global Travel Retail, Moët Hennessy

Fred Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority Hong Kong

Peng Hui, General Manager, China International Travel Service Limited

Eudes Fabre, Chief Executive Officer, Lagardère Travel Retail Greater China

Zhao Shuyue, Vice President, Kweichou Moutai Group

China Duty Free Group Chief Operating Officer C.C. Lee told The Moodie Davitt Report: “We’re bringing the dream to reality. We’re trying to create a new level of experience shopping for consumers. You will see throughout the stores what we promised to Hong Kong Airport, not only in terms of the design, but in terms of the interactive elements, the experience, the zones, the merchandise, plus all the technological initiatives.

“We have also introduced new interactive elements to make the buying of liquor not just about buying commodity, but something to experience through a lot of engagement zones, cocktail bars and demonstrations.”

• Eight stores across 3,400sq m (seven in departures, one in arrivals)
• Dedicated customer service desks to provide customers, loyalty club members and VIPs with a range of services, from enquiries to membership services to order and pick-up.
• An elegant Premium Lounge for VIP customers offering a range of bespoke services and rare limited-edition premium products. WeChat and Alipay payment options are also available.
• 11 customer interactive zones with themes including whisky cask craftsmanship, Asian liquor, a hi-tech digital bartender, an interactive game zone and virtual local taxi tour. Experiential themes will be refreshed every season so that customers leave Duty Zero by cdf with a new experience, even locals who travel through the airport multiple times per year.
• The most comprehensive Chinese liquor and tobacco selection in travel retail.
• The airport world’s first integrated Asian liquor department.
• What is claimed to be the most comprehensive selection in single malt whiskies among Asia Pacific airports.
• A dedicated gourmet section themed on Hong Kong high tea
• An elegant, expansive and experiential Hennessy boutique

Toasting future success at the Grand Opening.

A traditional Lion dance highlighted the Grand Opening. The ceremony is designed to ward off evil spirits and welcome in prosperous times.

(Left to right) Lagardère Travel Retail Greater China Chief Executive Officer Eudes Fabre; China National Service Group Chairman Wan Min; and Airport Authority Hong Kong Chairman Fred Lam celebrate the Grand Opening.

After the opening ceremony, VIPs took a tour of Duty Zero by cdf's attractions, including the 'Digital bartender' pictured above.

Shaken not stirred: China International Travel Service Limited General Manager Peng Hui (left) and Airport Authority Hong Kong CEO Fred Lam watch an exclusive Duty Zero by cdf Chinese cocktail being created.

Vintage moments: Peng Hui and Fred Lam discover the heritage of great Australian wine brand Penfolds at this interactive installation.

The Moodie Davitt E-Zine | Duty Zero by cdf | August 2018