SETTING THE STAGE
C Beauty, See Life
CDFG pledges that customers will ‘C Beauty, See Life’ when they step into the expansive new facility, anchored by the Global Beauty Plaza
The opening of Global Beauty Plaza, the star of China Duty Free Group’s (CDFG) Block C expansion at the cdf Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex (cdf Mall) in Haitang Bay, ranks among the most anticipated beauty category debuts in travel retail over the past year.
The space is host to the most prestigious beauty, skincare and fragrance brands in the world and home to some of the most dazzling brand flagship boutiques.
Its opening brings a new dimension to the world number one travel retailer’s already impressive offer in Sanya. The complex, which opened on 28 December, features 78,000sq m of retail space. Unveiled with the tagline ‘C Beauty, See Life’, the Global Beauty Plaza underlines the ever-important role of perfumes & cosmetics in travel retail and underscores CDFG’s ambition to further cultivate the category in the travel retail hotspot of Hainan.
Evocative store design by Büro Ole Scheeren and Valode & Pistre Architects, an array of bespoke services and a blend of fashion and art-inspired elements come together to elevate the Global Beauty Plaza, attracting a stellar roster of brands including many from The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC).
A docked yacht serves as the inspiration of the shopping emporium, telling the story of a ‘Fragrant Journey’. The main atrium features three themes: ‘The Journey of Seeds’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Fragrant Monsoon’, which come to life through evocative installations. Elsewhere, vibrant art corridors link Block C to the well-established Blocks A and B of the cdf Mall and feature the themes ‘Spacetime Travel’ and ‘Flower Gallery’.
The Global Beauty Plaza reflects CDFG’s more experiential approach to attracting customers and creates what the retailer describes as ‘a new duty free and cultural tourism paradigm’.
The opening of the elegant new environment came as another strong year closed for Hainan’s offshore duty free sector, which remains heavily reliant on the beauty category. Offshore duty free sales in Hainan increased +25.4% year-on-year in 2023 to CNY43.76 billion (US$6.13 billion), according to recent figures from Haikou Customs.
The design of Block C highlights Hainan’s tropical climate and natural landscape, offering an immersive experience for visitors
The Global Beauty Plaza is an important driver of CDFG’s performance and has boosted consumer choice in the offshore channel, particularly as retailers and local authorities work together to boost spend via a dynamic programme of promotional activities.
CDFG says the project will accelerate the cdf Mall and Sanya’s wider appeal as a globally renowned shopping destination, thereby contributing to the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
The Estée Lauder Companies’ significant investment at the Global Beauty Plaza underlines not only the group’s commitment to continuing its partnership with CDFG but also its belief in Hainan’s offshore duty free business, despite ongoing challenges in North Asian travel retail.
In these pages we feature commentary from top leaders within ELC, including Global Travel Retail President Israel Assa who looks back at the biggest milestones of the beauty giant’s ten-year strong partnership with CDFG. In his own words, Assa introduces the brands, stores and high-touch experiences that characterise ELC’s offer in the Global Beauty Plaza.
We also feature key insights from leading ELC brand heads. These include Estée Lauder Vice President and General Manager Travel Retail Worldwide Alice Marvillet who discusses the brand’s prestige Re-Nutriv range.
Tom Ford Beauty, Kilian Paris, Darphin, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Travel Retail Worldwide Sung Pak and Jo Malone London, Bobbi Brown, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle Senior Vice President and General Manager, Travel Retail Worldwide Ayaz Furniturewalla discuss the biggest fragrance trends changing the landscape and how their respective brands are meeting the challenge.
Through evocative photos, words and, in fully immersive video experiences, we present The Estée Lauder Companies’ impressive roster of stores across fragrance, skincare, haircare and makeup in these pages.
We hope you enjoy this special edition.
The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan Gillies
Spotlight Series – March 2024
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