Hennessy has opened its first dedicated store in China in Sanya on Hainan island. The Cognac giant is one of the most popular luxury spirits brands in the world’s most-populous nation and now it finally has a brick-and-mortar boutique to offer a “multi-sensational experience” for customers.
Located at the CDF Mall in Haitang Bay, the shop offers some of the brand’s most exclusive bottlings, such as Hennessy XXO (1L) and the Hennessy VSOP Privilège UVA, a collaboration between Hennessy VSOP and the London-based collective United Visual Artists. Customers will also be able to purchase Hennessy’s full range of prestige Cognacs, including Hennessy Paradis, Hennessy Paradis Impérial, and Richard Hennessy.
Those looking to make a custom bottle for themselves or as a present are in luck as well, as a special personalisation service on-site will help customer to create the glass bottle of their dreams.
The shop also includes an “infinity bat,” where customers can sip a variety of Hennessy-based cocktails and attend various workshops.
The new show will allow visitors to take advantage of China’s new relaxed offshore duty-free shopping policy that was announced on July 1. Under the new policy, alcohol (including beer, sake, imported wines and spirits) has been added to the duty-free categories and the annual duty-free allowance for shoppers visiting the island will be raised from RMB30,000 to RMB100,000, the purchase of alcoholic drinks, however, is subject to a 1.5 litre allowance restriction per visit.
According to the 2020 half-year report released by LVMH on July 27, the luxury group’s wine & spirit business saw organic revenue decline by 23%. A decline in volumes was noticeable in the second quarter especially for Champagne brands; yet cognac business is still going strong in both the Chinese and US markets.
The CDF mall claims to be the world’s largest duty-free shopping center. Operated by the China Duty Free Group, China’s leading duty free retailer, the CDF mall comprises 70,000 square-metres.