Data from tax-free shopping platform Global Blue highlights a significant acceleration in the global recovery of tax-free shopping across Asia Pacific and continental Europe.
Globally, sales in physical stores experienced a remarkable recovery, reaching 135 percent in January 2024 compared to the same period in 2019, surpassing the 127 percent recovery rate achieved in Q4 ’23.
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The recovery of Mainland Chinese shoppers continues to accelerate, reaching 80 percent in January compared to 58 percent in Q4 ’23, thanks to increased flight connections and improved visa issuance capacity.
In Asia Pacific, the recovery rate reached a record level of 161 percent in January compared to 150 percent in Q4 ’23, led by exceptional growth in Japan (232 percent).
Origin markets such as Hong Kong and Taiwan have sustained high recovery rates, reaching 426 percent in January compared to 538 percent in Q4 ’23.
North East Asian travelers also showed a recovery rate of 242 percent in January compared to 318 percent in Q4 ’23.
Meanwhile, Mainland Chinese shoppers continue to drive the recovery, reaching 127 percent in January compared to 105 percent in Q4 ’23.
Continental Europe has also witnessed a recovery, with a growth rate of 125 percent in January compared to 118 percent in Q4 ’23, fuelled by boosts in France and Spain, while shoppers from the United States have also shown a strong sustained recovery, reaching 290 percent in January compared to 248 percent in Q4 ’23.
Similarly, shoppers from the Gulf region achieved a recovery rate of 273 percent in January compared to 240 percent in Q4 ’23.
When comparing year-on-year growth in tax-free shopping, Mainland Chinese shoppers demonstrated remarkable growth with a +259 percent growth rate in January 2024. Continental Europe saw a notable increase of +17 percent in issued sales in January 2024 compared to the previous year.
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In Asia Pacific, the growth rate reached +71 percent in January 2024 compared to the previous year.
Most nationalities contributed positively, with Mainland Chinese shoppers leading the way with a +239 percent growth rate in January 2024 compared to 2023. North East Asian shoppers showed a growth rate of +54 percent, while Hong Kong and Taiwan shoppers had a growth rate of +13 percent.