ANNOUNCING ‘THE APAC DIALOGUE’ –
THE PRACTICALITIES OF DOING BUSINESS IN HAINAN

SINGAPORE, 6 May 2021. A Financial Times headline in April echoed the sentiments of many travel retail executives, declaring “Hainan ‘on fire’ as luxury’s centre of gravity tilts to China”. However positive the extraordinary sales figures and the appeal of the business opportunity, many travel retail businesses want to understand how best to enter or develop the market, to navigate the regulatory landscape, connect with designated retailers and engage with shoppers.

The practicalities of doing business in Hainan are the very specific focus of the upcoming APAC Dialogue on Thursday 27 May, 1600-1800 Singapore time. The webinar is hosted by the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) in association with The Moodie Davitt Report and is open to everyone in the industry free of change. Moderated by Martin Moodie, Founder & Chairman, The Moodie Davitt Report, the four speakers will each present a specific aspect of operating on the island:

Andrew Ford CEO of Paccaya Resources Limited (and former President of APTRA)
Hainan’s commercial landscape, analysis of current dynamics and future direction. A look at the key players, trade licences and the shoots of new business.

Stephen Peng, Senior Partner at leading Chinese law firm Jincheng Tongda & Neal
The regulatory landscape in Hainan

Harry Kartasis, Managing Director Global Drinks Limited
Supply Chain, logistics and product labelling requirements in Hainan

Rob Robertson, CEO Star Brands Travel Retail
Setting up shop in Hainan, protecting brand image, managing human resource dynamics and team training

“APTRA wants to help our members and the wider industry understand the situation in Hainan” says Sunil Tuli, President of APTRA. “The opportunity is tremendously exciting for an industry locked in such crisis elsewhere.

“There’s no doubt that Hainan offers a different landscape, so we have planned this webinar to offer practical, commercially valuable advice as an important step towards leveraging the opportunity within the island’s offshore duty free sector.

“We are therefore bringing together expertise from executives with knowledge of the issues involved in doing business in Hainan, who have kindly agreed to share their learnings and recommendations in an open and frank discussion. We welcome questions in advance to help shape the agenda in the most beneficial way.”

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie adds: “Hainan’s offshore duty free channel has lit up an otherwise largely darkened and troubled travel retail channel over the past year, with sales surging by +127% year-on-year in 2020 to around US$5 billion.

“This year sales are projected to reach around US$9 billion, buoyed by the enhanced duty free shopping policy introduced last July and the proliferation of licences which saw four new retailers enter the market in late 2020 and early 2021.

“These are extraordinary numbers but in a channel that is evolving so fast there are inevitable complexities and growing pains. This session is dedicated to understanding the intricacies of the market as well as the opportunity.”

Registration is now open via https://apacdialogue.com/
Advance questions are welcome via email to Sunil Tuli: suniltuli@kingpower.com.hk or to APTRA
Executive Director, Christina Oliver: christina.oliver@aptra.asia
Event sponsorship enquiries to Sharolyn Paul: sharolyn.paul@aptra.asia or to Irene Revilla:
Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com

https://www.aptra.asia/
www.MoodieDavittReport.com
Media enquiries: Anne Kavanagh, Kavanagh Communications anne@kavanaghcommunications.com

About APTRA

The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) is a membership organisation whose vision is to represent all members of the association and to strengthen, nurture & protect the duty-free and travel retail industry in the Asia Pacific region. APTRA’s membership comprises landlords, retailers and brands, which is unique and adds richness to the association’s work. APTRA’s territory spans over 45 countries in the Asia Pacific.

APTRA strengthens the knowledge base of the industry by supporting members through meaningful research, knowledge share, networking opportunities and advocating the industry when facing regulatory challenges. Commissioning relevant market research is one of the quality outputs of APTRA, the results of which are disseminated exclusively to members through private seminars, networking workshops and the Association website.

APTRA is on the alert constantly for legislative and regulatory challenges that may impact the duty-free and travel retail industry. Working with members, fellow trade associations and related agencies, APTRA engages with governments and policy-makers to facilitate a deeper understanding of the industry’s pivotal role in local communities, employment, travel infrastructure and the economies of the region.