Core Points - The opening of the Xi'an city duty-free store marks a significant development in the duty-free retail sector in Northwest China, filling a market gap [1][2] - The store, located in the Xi'an Bell Tower business district, covers approximately 2,050 square meters and features both duty-free and taxable product areas to cater to diverse consumer needs [1] - The duty-free section includes categories such as cosmetics, watches, jewelry, imported beverages, luggage, and electronics, while the taxable section offers trendy toys, domestic beauty products, outdoor sports goods, intangible cultural heritage crafts, and local cultural products [1] - Tourists holding valid exit-entry documents and tickets for international flights or cruises within 60 days can enjoy duty-free shopping benefits at the store [1] - The store incorporates Xi'an's cultural elements into product design and store decoration, featuring authorized local cultural products and customized cultural merchandise [1] - The opening day saw a positive response from both domestic and international tourists, highlighting the appeal of unique cultural products [1] Industry Impact - The establishment of the city duty-free store is expected to further activate consumer potential in Xi'an and enhance the city's attractiveness to domestic and international tourists, contributing to high-quality economic development [2]

Investment Rating - Investment advice: Following the new offshore duty-free policy in Hainan Island, further policy support optimizes in-city duty-free pickup, opening growth potential [5][6][7]. Core Views - The recent notice issued by multiple Chinese ministries aims to enhance the role of duty-free policies in boosting consumption, guiding overseas consumption back, attracting foreign consumers, and promoting healthy development of duty-free retail [6][7]. - The notice improves duty-free policies in four areas: optimizing domestic product tax refund policies, expanding duty-free categories, relaxing duty-free store approval, and enhancing convenience and regulation [7][8]. - The optimization of in-city duty-free pickup is expected to significantly enhance shopping convenience and expand the market size for in-city duty-free stores [8]. Summary by Sections Policy Improvements - The notice allows for the sale of more domestic products in duty-free stores and encourages the inclusion of products reflecting Chinese culture [7]. - New categories for duty-free sales include popular items such as cellphones, drones, sports goods, health foods, OTC drugs, and pet food [7]. - Approval processes for duty-free stores are being relaxed to allow local optimization of store layouts [7]. Market Potential - The new policy allows travelers to pick up duty-free goods at port entry stores after making reservations at in-city stores, which is expected to enhance consumer experience and expand the market [8]. - The opening of in-city duty-free stores in major cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou is anticipated to contribute positively to performance growth [8].

Core Insights - The Chinese government is enhancing the duty-free shop policy to boost consumption, attract foreign visitors, and promote healthy development of the duty-free retail business starting from November 1, 2025 [1] Group 1: Policy Enhancements - The notification outlines four key areas for improving the duty-free shop policy: optimizing domestic tax refund management, expanding product categories, decentralizing approval authority, and enhancing convenience and regulatory measures [2] - The policy encourages duty-free shops to sell more domestic products that reflect Chinese traditional culture and to include a wider range of consumer goods such as mobile phones, drones, sports goods, health foods, over-the-counter drugs, and pet foods [2] Group 2: Market Growth Potential - The optimization of the city duty-free pickup method is expected to significantly enhance consumer experience and expand the market size for city duty-free shopping [3] - The new policy allows travelers to reserve products at city duty-free shops and pick them up at port duty-free shops, improving shopping convenience [3] - Major city duty-free shops are set to open in Shenzhen and Guangzhou by August 26, 2025, indicating a gradual rollout of city duty-free shops in core urban areas [3]

Core Viewpoint - The recent optimization of the duty-free pickup method in cities is expected to expand the market size and enhance consumer experience, driven by new policies aimed at boosting consumption and attracting foreign spending [2][4]. Policy Enhancements - The new notification from various government departments aims to improve the duty-free store policy, effective from November 1, 2025, to stimulate consumption and encourage overseas spending [2]. - Key improvements include: 1. Optimizing domestic tax refund policies to support the sale of domestic products in duty-free stores, promoting culturally significant products [3]. 2. Expanding the range of products available in duty-free stores to include popular items like mobile phones, drones, sports goods, health foods, over-the-counter drugs, and pet food [3]. 3. Relaxing approval processes for duty-free store operations, allowing local adaptations and optimizations [3]. 4. Enhancing convenience and regulatory measures, including online booking services and the ability for travelers to pick up purchases at entry duty-free stores [3]. Market Growth Potential - The optimization of the duty-free pickup method significantly enhances shopping convenience and consumer experience, which is likely to expand the city duty-free market [4]. - The opening of new city duty-free stores in major cities, such as Shenzhen and Guangzhou, is anticipated to further stimulate market growth [4].

Core Viewpoint - Chengdu's first city-based duty-free store is set to open soon, attracting attention from citizens and tourists with its prominent advertising and strategic location [1][14]. Group 1: Store Details - The duty-free store will be operated by China Duty Free Group and will cover an area of 3,140 square meters, located near the Chunxi Road business district, providing a significant geographical advantage [14]. - The store will cater to travelers holding valid exit-entry documents within 60 days, selling a variety of duty-free products including food, clothing, bags, and accessories [14]. - The store will adopt a "city selection, port pickup" model, promoting both international brands and domestic products, thereby enhancing the visibility of Chengdu brands in the international market [14]. Group 2: Opening Timeline and Public Interest - The store is expected to open between late September and early October, as confirmed by staff at the shopping center [3]. - Observations indicate that the store's construction is actively progressing, with various functional areas already defined, including trendy markets and beauty sections [9]. - There is notable public interest, with many citizens inquiring about the opening date upon seeing the promotional materials [9].

Investment Rating - The investment rating for the company is "Buy" with a market price of RMB 69.29 and a sector rating of "Outperform" compared to the market [2][4]. Core Views - The report indicates that the company's revenue decline is narrowing quarter-on-quarter, with a focus on the potential benefits from the Hainan duty-free policy and the growth of city channel sales [9][6]. - The company achieved a revenue of RMB 281.51 billion in the first half of 2025, a year-on-year decrease of 9.96%, and a net profit of RMB 26.00 billion, down 20.81% year-on-year [9][4]. - The report maintains a positive outlook on the company's long-term performance due to its leading position in various channels and the gradual opening of city stores contributing to revenue growth [6][9]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, the company reported revenue of RMB 114.05 billion, a year-on-year decline of 8.45%, and a net profit of RMB 6.62 billion, down 32.21% year-on-year [9][4]. - The company’s market share in Hainan's duty-free shopping has increased, with Hainan expected to open its borders in December 2025, which may boost tourist numbers [9][6]. Revenue Projections - The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) forecasts for 2025-2027 are RMB 2.09, RMB 2.60, and RMB 2.87, respectively, with the current price corresponding to price-to-earnings ratios of 33.1, 26.6, and 24.1 times [6][8]. - The report anticipates a gradual recovery in revenue growth, with projections of 2.7% growth in 2025, followed by 8.3% and 6.4% in 2026 and 2027, respectively [8][9]. Market Position - The company is expanding its city duty-free stores, with new openings in cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen, which are expected to contribute positively to future revenue [9][6]. - The report highlights the company's competitive advantage in the Hainan duty-free market, supported by favorable government policies and an expanding product range [9][6].

Core Viewpoint - Lingnan Holdings (000524) is actively expanding its business in the tourism sector, focusing on travel, accommodation, and related services, while also making strategic investments in duty-free operations and asset acquisitions to enhance its market position [1][2][3]. Group 1: Company Overview - As of August 8, 2025, Lingnan Holdings' stock price is 12.51 CNY, up 4.08% from the previous week, with a total market capitalization of 8.384 billion CNY, ranking 4th in the tourism and scenic area sector [1]. - The company aims to build a comprehensive tourism ecosystem that is internationally competitive and trusted, leveraging innovation and capital as dual engines for growth [1]. Group 2: Duty-Free Business Development - Lingnan Holdings has partnered with China Duty Free Group and other companies to establish a duty-free store in Guangzhou, with a registered capital of 45 million CNY, where Lingnan Holdings invested 8.775 million CNY, representing 19.5% of the total [2][4]. Group 3: Share Acquisition Plans - The controlling shareholder, Guangzhou Lingnan Tourism Investment Group, has signed an agreement to acquire 70% of Urban Hotel's shares, with a commitment to transfer these shares to Lingnan Holdings within three years at a fair market price [3][4].

Group 1 - The company reported its Q1 2025 earnings, showing a revenue of 16.746 billion yuan, a year-on-year decline of 10.96%, and a net profit attributable to shareholders of 1.938 billion yuan, down 15.98% year-on-year [1] - The Hainan market remains under pressure, but the company is actively optimizing operations, with inventory improving continuously. As of the end of Q1 2025, inventory stood at 15.751 billion yuan, a decrease of 9.21% from the beginning of the year [1] - The company's gross profit margin for Q1 2025 was 32.98%, a slight year-on-year decrease of 0.33 percentage points, while the sales expense ratio was 13.12%, a slight increase of 0.28 percentage points [1] Group 2 - The number of visa-free countries and international flight volumes are increasing, leading to a positive trend in airport duty-free business. Duty-free store revenue at Beijing airports grew over 115% year-on-year, while Shanghai airports saw a nearly 32% increase [2] - The company is responding to policy changes by adding city duty-free store projects, with 13 foreign exchange commodity duty-free stores transitioning to city duty-free stores within three months, enhancing the synergy between various sales channels [2] - The company is optimistic about the growth of duty-free business in Hainan post-border closure, with city duty-free business expected to contribute to performance in upcoming quarters [3]