LONG-TERM ALLIANCE


Partners in pioneering

Travel Retail 2.0

By Olivier Dubos, Senior Vice President Travel Retail, Parfums Christian Dior

Faced with the challenge of overcoming the biggest crisis of our industry posed by the COVID-19 outbreak, relationships based on strong friendship and trust are helping to pave the way for a strong recovery.

Crisis offers a good opportunity to recognize the outstanding partnerships that have been built throughout the years. In China, we are proud to share this strong and special bond between Dior and China Duty Free Group (CDFG).

This partnership is aimed at supporting CDFG initiatives in China and overseas. It strengthened over time and became even more relevant through the regular launches of Dior exclusive offerings, “Instagram-able” experiences/mega events, and omnichannel projects developed together in the past years.

Under the strong leadership of President Charles Chen, CDFG is blazing the trail thanks to its visionary take on the development of the Chinese travel retail industry. From distribution model, click and collect, e-commerce, digital communications, drive to store and omni-channel customer experience, we support comprehensively CDFG’s initiatives, accelerating the business both online and offline, while simultaneously giving Parfums Christian Dior fantastic exposure to the Chinese travelers. Bringing them the latest innovations, excitement, and immersive experiences.

Amidst the current global situation, CDFG’s offshore duty free business in Hainan is the first to experience a resurgence with CDF Mall in Haitang Bay in particular with visitors coming back to shop in a safe environment. The CDF Mall has become a world leading duty free mall, and we are, of course, pursuing our strong brand investments in this unique retail environment. A mega DIOR event will take place in October 2020. Customers will be treated to an immersive tour of the Dior brand with never been seen before design inspirations, engaging retail-tainment, exclusive offers and the best of Dior icons.

Hitting the heights in Haitang Bay

As we speak, we are starting to see how the crisis changed the way we worked before: safety first, with additional sanitary measure on counter yet still providing memorable and unique experiences to each visitor. Hainan stands at the forefront of the resurgence of the Travel Retail business. It is, without a doubt the best place to be to contemplate the future of travelling. It is only a beginning. The digital capabilities, the impressive power and alliances of CDFG will define a new world, pioneering Travel Retail 2.0. All along with the recent announcement putting again Hainan in focus with an incredible ambition .

The shape of things to come: An artist’s rendering of China Duty Free Group’s magnificent Haikou International Duty Free Mall on Hainan island. The project, which began in 2019, will be completed in 2022.

The shape of things to come: An artist’s rendering of China Duty Free Group’s magnificent Haikou International Duty Free Mall on Hainan island. The project, which began in 2019, will be completed in 2022.

The progressive re-opening of airports around the world is of course a great news to all, and we are looking forward as a leader to resume business and operations hand in hand with our longtime partners across the globe. And of course, we are looking forward to meeting everybody at the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo in October 2020 to share more about our global vision and innovations.

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Spotlight Series • September 2020

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