MILAN, Oct. 9 (Class Editori) – Milan wins over Rome, Florence and Venice in the Chinese shoppers preferences. Milan is the undisputed ruler for volume of purchases (34%) made by Chinese customers. In particular, Milan Fashion District confirms its high attractive power, with the luxury streets Via Montenapoleone and Via Sant’Andrea in the first two places of the rank, just before Via dei Condotti and Piazza di Spagna.
The record emerged from a study conducted by Planet. The Chinese tourists flow comes with an increase of payments through smartphones, grew from 4% to 23% in three years. The merit goes mainly to Alipay, a company of the Ant Financial Services group, which is giving its support in expanding and innovating the market allowing big national brands to intercept new targets which prefer digital payments solutions.
In China, over 900 million citizens use Alipay and over 93% of Chinese tourists use the app while travelling abroad as well, not only to pay but also to overcome linguistic barriers. “Chinese tourists coming to Italy want to go back home with a unique piece of our handcraft tradition. I know very well the most important brands and shopping is an essential travel experience in our country”, said Sara Bernabè, general manager of Planet in Italy, cited by MF-Dowjones agency.
“Today is crucial that retailers understand that offering payment solutions with which travelers are more familiar with and make them feel comfortable is an important sales grow driver and an essential part that luxury experience which the whole world envies us”.
“If Italy wants to profit fully all the business opportunities arising from the increasing Chinese tourism, it must also be able to intercept habits and preferences of travelers”, explained Luigi Liu, Europe Alipay marketing manager, “the focus is not only in the quality of the purchase, but also on the payment methods. We are enthusiastic to see that thousands of Italian stores and brands accept Alipay and we expect a further increase in the number.”
The Tax Free market is growing too: since the beginning of the year Chinese tourists sales increase by 6%, reaching a record market share of 34%. Today, one every three Tax Free products sold to international travelers visiting Italy was purchased by Chinese, spending on average 1.089 euros (All rights reserved)
(Source:Class Editori)
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A single purchase
