China Duty Free Group becomes inaugural Diamond Partner of Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo now set for October

CHINA/INTERNATIONAL. In major breaking news, China Duty Free Group (CDFG) has become the inaugural Diamond Partner of the first Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo.

The Expo – which takes the form of a ‘live’ 5-day event followed by a 30-day showcase, will now switch into October to follow the key Chinese Golden Week holidays. The live Expo, which features a star-studded series of events across the five days, including a Symposium, category workshops and new consumer research findings, begins on 12 October.

CDFG President Charles Chen, who is also President of China International Travel Service, said: “Many thanks to Moodie Davitt’s efforts – it is they who give us the opportunity to reunite online during such special times.

“As a Diamond Partner of the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo & Symposium, CDFG plans to bring our senior management and buying teams to visit the exhibitors and to attend the symposium sessions.

“CDFG believes that more creativity, openness and collaboration is needed in the middle of crisis to share experiences and overcome the difficulties. It is the pioneering Virtual Expo in the industry and we look forward to meeting our friends virtually, and wish the Expo a great success.”

Charles Chen will also deliver a major pre-recorded address at the Expo Symposium, outlining his vision for the bright future of CDFG and of travel retail in China.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We are delighted and honoured to have China Duty Free Group as our inaugural Diamond Partner. Under Charles Chen’s outstanding leadership, China Duty Free Group has led the great travel retail development of recent times – the offshore duty free business in Hainan Province.

“Now, China Duty Free Group is also leading the global travel retail sector into recovery and giving our whole industry cause for hope and optimism. The world-renowned CDF Mall is already recording tremendously encouraging sales and prospects for Hainan are being boosted further by the building of the new and spectacular Haikou Duty-Free Shopping Complex.

“Our Virtual Expo is a premium event and in China Duty Free Group we have attracted a premium partner – the lighthouse for the recovery of the travel retail industry worldwide. We look forward to welcoming Charles and his full senior management team to our Virtual Expo, where many of the world’s leading brands will also be there to greet them.”

Commenting on the revised dates, Moodie said: “This week’s decision by TFWA to cancel the 2020 TFWA World Exhibition, a brave and correct decision which we applaud, means that an October timing is much more appropriate for our Virtual Expo. Along with all travel retailers, China Duty Free Group will be very busy in September in the lead-up to the critical Golden Week holidays, embracing the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day festivities. We thus avoid that clash and we were also keen to ensure that all retailers from the Jewish community would not see the event clash with Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur.”

Note: In related news (click here for details) Parfums Christian Dior, which enjoys a thriving and innovative relationship with CDFG, has signed as a Platinum Partner for the Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo. Look out soon for a special Moodie Davitt Spotlight Series eZine dedicated to Dior’s resurgent business in China and its key partnership with CDFG.

More major announcements on the Symposium Programme and exhibitor partners will follow in coming days.