NEWS ROUND-UP CDFG shares its priorities and daigou concerns


In an exchange with TRBusiness, Lee Charn Cheng (CC Lee), Chief Operating Officer, China Duty Free Group, made it clear that the operator is in favour of greater restrictions for daigou shuttle traders. His comments are in line with the


opinions of company President, Charles Chen. In a presentation he made on stage at the TFWA’s China Century Conference


earlier this year, Chen very publicly condemned the daigou business, insisting that it has the potential to erode brand equity, which is particularly damaging for luxury brands. Aside from his views on the daigou trade,


Lee told TRBusiness that 2018 was a great year for CDFG and that 2019 is looking positive too. “2019 is still looking strong. We are


carrying on the strong momentum, with new downtown stores being opened in Mainland China, and a first ever downtown store in Hong Kong.” However, CC Lee did air his concerns


about the company’s rapid development. “We are expanding at such a rapid rate


that we need to prioritise our resources.” Talking of priorities, he also said that


Lotte Duty Free Ginza store doubles sales for third year


Improved diplomatic relations between China and South Korea during the past 12 months, which facilitated the return of Chinese group tour travellers to Lotte Duty Free’s overseas shops, has helped the Korean retailer to double its sales for the third consecutive year in Japan. Lotte Duty Free’s Ginza downtown store


sales doubled to JPY10bn ($93.5m) in 2018 as a result; up from JPY5bn ($46.8m) the previous year. Duty free goods accounted for 70%


of customer purchases last year, while tax free goods made up the remaining 30% share. “Our total sales were JPY10bn in


financial year ending 31 December, 2018 (FY2018) and we have already achieved JPY 10bn sales from January to June this year,” insists Lee Sung Chul, Sales Department Director, Lotte Duty Free Japan [Sales and Marketing Division], in an exclusive interview with TRBusiness. [See p151, inside the Japan Report for the full interview with Lee Sung Chul].


CDFG has three goals: “Grow sales, grow talent and grow relationships with key partners.” While overseas expansion is also high on the list, CDFG continues to consolidate


in its home market, which could become even more important if China opens up to foreign DF operators as various reliable sources have insinuated to TRBusiness that it might…[see p81]. Unfortunately, Lee was unable to


comment on the market opening up to global operators: “I can’t answer on behalf of the government,” he said.


WiTR to raise money for Siem Reap cause


Women in Travel Retail (WiTR) is choosing to support Friends International – in particular its scheme that offers vulnerable young women in Cambodia, beauty salon training courses – in its latest fund-raising activity. This will culminate in a WiTR meeting, once again in Cannes, during the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference. Run in Siem Reap, Cambodia, by


established charity Friends International, it gives beauty salon training to young women aged 16-24. This helps them to break the cycle of poverty and exploitation, provide for their families in a safe place and learn customer-oriented skills in a real work environment. Marginalised female youth in Cambodia


continually face many barriers to accessing employment, including lack of education and the ability to pay for training.


Often living on the streets, they are forced to work in hazardous occupations such as construction, scavenging, sex work or begging; leaving them vulnerable to health risks and abuse. “The €15,000 target that we have set


ourselves will fund places for young women on the beauty vocational training program,” says WiTR Chair Sarah Branquinho.


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