(ECNS) -- Hainan's offshore duty-free sales reached 855 million yuan (about $126.7 million) during the National Day holiday, the first since the island province began independent customs operations, according to Haikou Customs on Thursday.
A total of 123,000 shoppers purchased 696,800 items during the holiday.
Duty-free stores across Hainan, from Haikou to Sanya, drew crowds with promotions and themed events. China Duty Free Group's six stores in Hainan partnered with international brands to offer customized experiences and organized activities such as blind-box auctions and food tastings.
At the Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex, cosmetics, digital products, and sports and outdoor goods saw particularly strong sales, said Qin Yuxue, deputy sales director of the complex. At the Hainan Holdings Global Premium Duty Free City in Haikou, visitors queued to check out cosmetics and electronics. A tourist from Shanxi said she bought foundation for 239 yuan during a flash sale, less than 60% of its duty-free price of 415 yuan.
The fourth quarter is traditionally a peak season for Hainan's offshore duty-free sales. The Global Premium Duty Free City saw foot traffic rise by more than 20% compared with the same period last year, said Hou Xiaofei, the store's marketing director. The store has stepped up the introduction of new brands and introduced AI presenters alongside in-store hosts to convert online traffic into offline visits.
(By Tang Yuxian)
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