Duty-Free Industry Ahead of China's Golden Week, Attracting Chinese Tourists with Promotions

Lotte Myeon LDF Pay Giveaway and Season Off Event
Hyundai Department Store Myeon Alipay Payment Discount Offer
Shilla Myeon Expansion of Chinese Preferred Brands and Products
Shinsegae Myeon K-pop Star Music Video Screening, etc.

The domestic duty-free industry is gearing up to attract Chinese group tourists (Yukers) with various promotions ahead of the golden holiday period from the Mid-Autumn Festival to National Day (September 29 to October 6).

On the 27th, ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the duty-free area of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport is bustling with travelers. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the industry on the 28th, Lotte Duty Free has prepared an LDF Pay giveaway event and a season-off sale until the 31st of next month to capture shopping demand from both domestic and foreign customers. At all branches, customers can receive up to 830,000 KRW worth of LDF Pay, which can be used like cash, depending on the purchase amount. Until October 10, customers who spend over $250 combined online and offline at Lotte Duty Free will be entered into a raffle for a 2-person Guam travel package including round-trip airfare and accommodation. Eleven premium beauty brands are offered at up to 50% discount, and jewelry brands such as Misaki and Dana Burton are discounted up to 45%. The online liquor store is holding a special promotion with a 30% discount on all Chinese liquors until September 30.

Hyundai Department Store Duty Free offers an immediate 5% discount when paying with Alipay, and a 10% immediate discount when paying with Alipay Plus. At the Dongdaemun branch, foreign customers who spend over $100 receive up to 75,000 KRW discount, and luxury watch brands are sold at up to 40% off. At the Incheon Airport branch, in collaboration with the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, customers who spend over $200 receive a mug cup featuring Korean palaces and a one-time experience voucher for the Korean Traditional Culture Center.

Shilla Duty Free is expanding Chinese-preferred brands and products at its Seoul and Jeju branches. It also assigns dedicated interpreters and supports transportation costs when using taxis. Benefits such as promotions exclusive to Chinese customers are also provided. These promotions include Alipay instant discount promotions, WeChat preferential exchange rates and discount coupons for customers who meet certain purchase amounts, instant discounts on some UnionPay credit cards, and prepaid card giveaways based on purchase amounts at the Incheon branch.

Shinsegae Duty Free operates game events and online payment discount promotions for Yukers using UnionPay and Alipay. Additionally, it offers shopping support funds based on purchase amounts and events that provide duty-free points and Starbucks exchange vouchers based on domestic brand purchases. Furthermore, Shinsegae Duty Free screens K-pop stars’ music videos on the media facade of its Myeongdong branch to provide shopping, culture, and experience opportunities, while also offering Chinese interpretation services.