Wangfujing Group extends network with Wuhan pre-departure downtown duty-free store opening

CHINA. Wangfujing Duty Free hosted the Grand Opening of its pre-departure downtown duty-free store in Wuhan, which it jointly operates with Wushang Group, on 30 May.

As reported, Wangfujing Group won one of the contracts covering pre-departure stores, which mark a key extension to the Chinese travel retail ecosystem announced in August 2024.

The opening at the popular Wushang Mall marks a first-of-its-kind duty-free store for Wuhan. It also extends Wangfujing’s operations from offshore and airport duty free to a new channel.

Key categories include beauty, fashion, consumer technology and other goods. Importantly, the store also houses a special zone that showcases Chinese handicrafts plus other on-trend goods that portray Chinese characteristics.

In a statement, Wangfujing Group said the policy to introduce pre-departure downtown duty-free stores would inject “new consumption momentum” into Wuhan.

The pre-departure duty-free policy measures are transformational for the structural landscape of China’s travel retail industry and have important repercussions for overseas retailers serving Chinese travellers.

The term ‘travellers’ used in the new measures refers to those who hold valid entry-exit documents and are about to depart the country by air or international cruise within the next 60 days (inclusive). They include but are not limited to Chinese travellers. Shoppers can collect their purchases in a dedicated space at their point of departure.

Wangfujing stressed the importance of a strong value message to consumers, noting that pricing on some goods could be -10% to -30% lower than in domestic shopping malls.

The company also stressed the popularity of Wuhan as a destination, with the appeal of the city’s famed Yellow Crane Tower and East Lake alongside the Yangtze River Bridge’s modern architectural charm.

The company stated: “Wuhan is welcoming global consumers with an open attitude. This duty-free shop is not only a manifestation of policy dividends, but also a window to showcase the city’s soft power.

“With the implementation of the ‘pay in store, pick up at the port’ model, Wuhan is expected to become a new hub for consumption return in the central region”.