Called ‘China’s Century: The Fast Pace of Change in China Duty Free & Travel Retail’, the theme of the two-day conference is Luxury retailing in China and the Chinese luxury consumer
A dedicated session on luxury will feature both international and local experts such as Oettinger Davidoff’s CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, Christian Blanckaert, professor of management, ESCP business school, Paris and author of “Luxe Trotter” and Christie’s head of wine for China, Simon Tam.
On the first morning DFS group chairman and CEO, Philippe Schaus, will give his views on the future of luxury retailing in a world where the Chinese consumer’s preferences will be a priority for the luxury industry. Further insights on luxury brands’ experience with China and the Chinese consumer will be discussed in a session with Godiva, Puig and Luxottica executives.
James Kynge, editor, China Confidential, Financial Times and author of ‘China shakes the world’, will comment on the rapid growth of the Chinese economy in the last 20 years, the emergence of a wealthy middle class and the Chinese consumer’s appetite for foreign travel, tourism and international brands.
Expert analysis on duty free and travel retail will also be a key feature in the conference programme. Mark Riches, former CEO World Duty Free, will present his formula for ‘Excellence in Duty Free’. A retailers’ panel discussion on the Chinese travelling consumer will see contributions from Lagardère Services Asia Pacific, King Power Group Hong Kong and AerRianta International.
A session featuring market analysts such as Forrester Research and WE marketing group chairman & CEO Viveca Chan, recently named one of the "100 most influential women in advertising" by Advertising Age, will analyse Chinese society and offer insights to Chinese consumer behaviour in ‘Market Insights – Chinese Consumers at Home, Away and Online’.
The conference will also feature a presentation on recent and future developments in the country by Beijing Capital International Airport and the broader aviation landscape in China will come under review in a session led by aviation analyst Peter Harbison.
