Tuesday, March 29: China Watch

All industry professionals were welcome to join free of charge.

Session 1: New opportunities in Chinese travel retail: 9.00 – 10.30am CET (3.00 – 4.30pm CST)

The first session looked at some of the forces shaping Chinese travel retail today, including the developing downtown duty free market, the growth of the duty paid business at Chinese airports, and the rise of China’s second tier cities. With the entrance of new retailers to the market and the creation of significant new commercial sites in cities such as Guangzhou, the emergence of downtown duty free could mirror the astonishing growth of the offshore market in Hainan. Although international travel remains on hold for now, there are still significant opportunities for brands and retailers in mainland China, as this session highlighted.

Providing an update on the latest developments in the duty paid business and downtown duty free market, the audience heard from Zeng Qun, Deputy General Manager of Wangfujing Duty Free, Eudes Fabre, CEO North Asia of Lagardère Travel Retail, Jason Cao, Founder of DutyFreeExpert and General Manager of Amberich International.This session also heard from Nancy Dai, Insight Expert of ForwardKeys on domestic air traffic in China.

This session was moderated by John Rimmer, Managing Director of TFWA.

Access the speaker presentations below

Networking break 10.30 – 11.00am CET (4.30 – 5.00pm CST)

Session 2: Winning young Chinese consumers: 11.00am – 12.30pm CET (5.00 – 6.30pm CST)

The growing influence of millennial and Gen Z consumers is causing fundamental shifts in China’s retail market. Some of these shifts reflect the ever-changing technological landscape, such as the digital transformation undertaken by many big brands to engage younger consumers. Others stem from the specific behaviour of these generations, whose attitudes and taste differ significantly from their predecessors, thanks in part to the omnipresence of KOLs and KOCs.

In the second session, we looked in detail at how the younger generation’s digital lifestyle is forcing brands and retailers to rethink their strategies. How can the travel retail industry remain relevant to the young Chinese consumers? What are some of the key marketing trends that brands should keep an eye on?

To kick-off the discussion, the audience received an update from Emerging Communications’s Head of Planning Rocky Chi on the latest trends and impact of social media marketing to the young Chinese consumers. From the brand perspectives, this session heard from leading Chinese beauty distributor Chole Lam, Senior Vice President of Eternal Optical & Perfumery (Far East) Ltd. and award-winning Designer and Founder of Hefang Jewelry Sun Hefang.

This session was moderated by TFWA Conference Manager Michele Miranda and the Association’s Chief Representative for China Hannah Gao.

Access the speaker presentations below