China Duty Free Group (CDFG) has signed on to open a flagship in Macau.

The contract binds the group to take the anchor tenancy at Grand Lisboa Palace, an integrated resort in Cotai owned by the Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM) and scheduled to open next year.

The China Duty Free Macau store will cover a 7500sqm ground floor retail space in the downtown development.

CDFG operates more than 200 stores across China, more duty free outlets in one country than any other retailer in the industry.

SJM chairman Dr. Ambrose So said: “The introduction of the China Duty Free Macau flagship store into Grand Lisboa Palace will greatly expand and enhance the retail offerings of our resort, appealing to any type of visitors especially those with sophisticated lifestyles.

“Leveraging the strong brand recognition and commitment to quality and service at both SJM and CDFG, our collaboration with CDFG will elevate visitors’ shopping experience in Macau and strengthen the positioning of Grand Lisboa Palace as Macau’s Capital of Style.”

CDFG President Charles Chen added: “The opening of our Macau off-airport duty free store in Grand Lisboa Palace serves as a new step in CDFG’s business development. The Hong Kong and Macau market is a retail hotspot in the Asia Pacific, and through the successful tenders for expanded footprint in Hong Kong and Macau airports, as well as the upcoming store in Macau downtown, CDFG has steadily actualised its strategic plan for the region.

“Macau is an integral part of the Greater Bay Area, welcoming 32.61 million visitors in 2017, amongst which 90.3 per cent were tourists from greater China. As a Chinese duty free company with deep understanding of Chinese consumers, CDFG’s new duty free store will bring even more quality products and shopping experience to customers, supporting Macau’s positioning as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”