Hainan’s Haikou city will host the first China International Consumer Products Expo from May 7 to 10, organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Hainan’s provincial government. A number of international luxury, fashion and cosmetic players including Tapestry Inc., Swatch Group, L’Oréal Group, Shiseido and Kao have confirmed their participation alongside retailers like Galeries Lafayette and LVMH-owned travel retailer DFS Group.

This is China’s first state-level premium consumer goods expo. The total exhibition area spanning 80,000 square meters will include 60,000 square meters dedicated to international brands and two exclusive exhibition areas for fashion and jewellery exhibitors.

Brands can use the platform to tap into growth in the China market and Hainan’s future as a free trade port. A tax exemption policy is one of other major draws for exhibitors and consumers alike. An official document released last June said international exhibitors will be exempt from duty on imports and sales during the exhibition period.

Hainan’s rise as a duty-free shopping hub has become a focal point for major brands as global travel stalls. During the seven-day Chinese New Year holiday period, Hainan reported 1.4 billion yuan ($215 million) in duty-free sales and more than 200,000 consumers, doubled pre-pandemic figures from 2019.