CTG DUTY-FREE(SH:601888) Zhongyuan Securities·2026-01-23 08:19Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Outperform the Market," indicating an expected increase of over 10% relative to the CSI 300 index in the next six months [36]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes that the Chinese duty-free policy is a strategic tool for economic regulation, industrial upgrading, and cultural confidence, significantly impacting both domestic and international markets [7][11]. - The Hainan duty-free model is highlighted as a key experimental area, transitioning from a focus on shopping to a broader trade and logistics framework, enhancing its role as a new offshore trade and financial hub [15][19]. - The competitive landscape of the duty-free market is shifting from monopolistic competition to diversified competition, with China Duty Free Group (CDFG) maintaining a dominant position while new entrants and foreign operators are emerging [23][24]. Summary by Sections 1. Duty-Free Market Development - The Chinese duty-free market has evolved from serving specific groups to becoming a strategic tool for stimulating consumption and promoting openness, with significant policy support since 2000 [8][9]. - The introduction of the Hainan duty-free policy in 2011 marked a significant step towards international market integration, with the market becoming a major growth engine post-COVID-19 [8][9]. 2. Hainan Duty-Free System - Hainan has established a comprehensive duty-free system, including "offshore duty-free" and "processing and value-added duty-free" policies, aimed at attracting high-end consumption back to China [15][16]. - The duty-free sales in Hainan reached 206.9 billion yuan from 2020 to August 2025, accounting for over 8% of the global duty-free market [16]. 3. Competitive Landscape - The current market structure is characterized by "one strong player and many strong competitors," with CDFG holding a significant market share and operational advantages [23][25]. - The recent bidding for duty-free operations at major airports indicates a shift in competitive dynamics, with CDFG securing key contracts and new players like Dufry entering the market [24][25]. 4. International Comparisons - The report compares the Chinese duty-free market with those in South Korea and Europe, highlighting China's strategic, policy-driven growth model versus South Korea's reliance on a purchasing agent model and Europe's mature, market-driven approach [31][32]. - China's duty-free market is positioned to leverage its domestic consumption potential and policy support, while South Korea faces challenges due to over-reliance on Chinese consumers [28][32].