Retail in Asia

Highlights: Third Hainan Expo draws to a close

The third China International Consumer Products Expo (Hainan Expo), hosted by Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (IEDB), took place from 11 to 15 April, preceded by an official Opening Ceremony on 10 April.

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The event brings together a huge array of international and local brands across multiple categories, including wines & spirits, beauty, and luxury. The island’s duty free retailers were out in force too, featuring some spectacular exhibition stands.

Below, highlights from the event.

Shiseido returns to Hainan Expo

Shiseido Company Limited marked its third consecutive appearance at the annual China International Consumer Products Expo (Hainan Expo).

Source: The Moodie Davitt Report

Shiseido brought a powerful portfolio of 11 brands to the Expo under the theme ‘Awaken Your Inner Beauty.’ Its pavilion showcased new launches, limited-edition and travel retail-exclusive releases and highlights the company’s sustainability and DE&I initiatives.

Its presence at the Expo underlines its strategic focus on China and Hainan, which remains a key driver for Shiseido Travel Retail’s growth in Asia. In line with its ‘Beauty Innovations for a Better World’ mission, Shiseido shone the spotlight on its environmental, social and governance projects at the Expo.

Coty strengthens its presence in China with ‘Futuristic Garden’ showcase 

Source: The Moodie Davitt Report

Coty showcased nine of its brands, including Lancaster, Orveda, Gucci, Burberry, Chloé Atelier des Fleurs, Tiffany & Co., Miu Miu, Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs.

Coty utilised the Expo to strengthen its foothold in the Chinese market and to understand the needs of local consumers. This was guided by its vision and six strategic pillars, with a focus on leveraging its travel retail business footprint in the Asia Pacific region and around the world. During the Expo, Coty engaged with key stakeholders in the government, media, duty free retailers and consumers.

Coty Chief Commercial Officer for Luxury Caroline Andreotti commented on the group’s growth in Hainan over the past few years: “We are excited to be present at Hainan Expo again. Its business environment and policies are a clear differentiator in the global market – and its role as an important hub connecting China, Asia Pacific and the world – means that Hainan presents great opportunities to introduce new innovations to Chinese consumers and huge travel retail business growth.”

Coty’s prestige beauty brands – Gucci, Burberry, Chloé, Tiffany & Co., Miu Miu and Lancaster – all enjoy a strong presence in Hainan. In recent years, the group has focused on developing its travel retail business across the island with brand boutiques and offline activities.

Until now, the company has opened 29 doors in the Hainan duty free channel. It aims to reach 38 doors in the next fiscal year, including seven standalone boutique stores for key brands.

Another highlight of the group’s showcase was its sustainability strategy: Beauty That Lasts. This year Coty will launch fragrances crafted with carbon-captured ethanol, produced in partnership with LanzaTech. Coty also announced its collaboration with Green Citizen Action (part of China Green Foundation), setting a goal to plant 6000 haloxylon trees in the Alashan Desert.

The Estée Lauder Companies reinforces commitment to Hainan market

The beauty giant’s attendance reflects the further strengthening of its presence in China and the growth of Hainan’s offshore duty free sector.

The company’s executives were joined by high-profile guests from Hainan to officially open the pavilion. Source: The Moodie Davitt Report

Fan said: “This year marks the 30th anniversary of ELC’s presence in China. What began with two of our brands, Estée Lauder and Clinique, serving tens of millions of consumers across the country. ELC will continue to lead and transform the prestige beauty industry. We are proud to continue our story here in Hainan and are committed to deepening our connection with Chinese consumers and delivering superior products and services to them.”

The group highlighted its powerful portfolio in the fragrance, makeup and skincare categories. These included Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Darphin, Dr. Jart+, Estée Lauder, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, Jo Malone London, Kilian Paris, La Mer, Lab Series, MAC, Origins and Tom Ford Beauty.

Designed with sustainability in mind, every element of the pavilion from its architecture to the curated product selection reflects ELC’s commitment to Hainan, the group said.

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To mark its further expansion in Hainan, the group opened Aveda’s first two travel retail brand boutiques in Hainan at CDF Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex and CDF Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex in January. 2023 also marks the brand’s debut at the Hainan Expo.