cdf Cruise hits the perfect notes onboard Astro Ocean Cruise’s Piano Land
Cruise travel has surged in popularity in China over recent years and in its wake onboard retail has also flourished. Through its specialist cruiseline arm, leading travel retailer China Duty Free Group is making a different kind of wave at sea.
July 25 was a red-letter day for China Duty Free Group (CDFG) subsidiary China Duty Free Cruise Service (cdf Cruise) as its latest onboard retail offering opened to an expectant public.
The occasion was the inaugural sailing from Shanghai of the new-look Piano Land, an Astro Ocean Cruise making a return to the seas after a four-year absence.
cdf Cruise is operating 650sq m space located across decks 6 and 7 and featuring a start-studded line-up of premium luxury brands and products, including wines & spirits, leathergoods, jewellery, accessories, sunglasses, cosmetics, fragrances and confectionery.
The store offers a variety of shopping and convenience services designed to create a combined maritime cultural and tourism experience – a fusion of concepts very much in line with CDFG’s global intention to elevate the travel retail experience beyond the mere transactional.
With its distinctive tiered ducktail, Piano Land represents a majestic sight in port and at sea
Piano Land and cdf Cruise executives celebrate the opening of the ship’s duty-free store
A dedicated cosmetics area offers an array of premium beauty brands
A variety of liquor, wellbeing and confectionery brands are available
cdf Cruise has partnered with several renowned brands to launch exclusive co-branded Piano Land collections.
“These co-branded products not only highlight the distinctive appeal of Piano Land but also exemplify China Duty Free Cruise’s commitment to excellence in quality and service,” the retailer said. “Shoppers can enjoy the convenience of shopping as well as experience a different cultural atmosphere.”
This is the second big cruise retail development for the company in recent months. On 1 January, Adora Magic City, China’s first domestically-built large cruise ship, embarked on its maiden voyage.
cdf Cruise manages 1,200sq m duty free retail offer onboard the vessel, representing the largest maritime retail space in China. Given that Adora Magic City has 2,125 guest rooms and a maximum capacity of 5,246 passengers, the ship offers a tremendous retail opportunity.
At the time of the launch, cdf Cruise said: “The opening of the retail space on the first large cruise ship built in China is of great significance and symbolises that the cruise tourism industry in China has reached a new horizon,” CDFCS said. The Piano Land launch emphatically confirms that view.
Austrian crystal house Swarovski makes a typically dazzling appearance
cdf Cruise has decorated the Captain’s Lounge with Shanghai-themed elements
Piano Land’s soaring atrium is crowned with tailor-made glass featuring delicate designs
The 261m-long, 32m-wide cruise ship can serve 1,800 guests on each voyage, a captive market that offers a rich retail opportunity
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The Moodie Davitt eZine
Issue 336 | 20 August 2024
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