THE LARGEST GERMAN DUTY-FREE SHOPS INTRODUCE TAX FREE SERVICE – IMMEDIATE SHOPPING BOOM EXPECTED

In recent years, tourism shopping has become an integral part of the schedule of outbound tourists. As indicated by relevant data, in 2016 the total number of Chinese outbound tourists was 122,000,000; 85.9% of which consume mainly when going shopping during their travels. As the birthplace of many world renowned brands, Europe is one of the preferred destinations of Chinese tourists when it comes to shopping. In Europe, there are not only world famous luxury brands, but also well-designed and low priced brands of high quality. A lot of Chinese tourists come to Europe for shopping every year.

With an increasing number of shopping tourists in Europe, tax refund during outbound shopping becomes the focus of attention for Chinese tourists. In the past, Chinese tourists could only use the conventional ways of tax refund, but the conventional tax refund significantly reduces the benefits of duty free shopping for Chinese tourists. When using conventional tax refund procedures, only half of a VAT-amount of for example 19 EUR on the shopping receipt will be left. Apart from large losses of money, fussy procedures, long waiting times and non-Chinese speaking support also lead to an unsatisfactory tax refund experience for Chinese tourists.

To deal with the weaknesses of conventional tax refund services, the new ways of payment, the new preferences of Chinese tourists and to meet their demands for tax refund after consumption overseas, TRAVEL EASY has launched TAX FREE EASY, an innovative tax refund service, aiming at providing Chinese tourists with a perfect tax refund experience. After getting the tax refund forms sealed by customs, the tourists can board their flights without having to wait in a long queue; as soon as they arrive home, they can place an order via telephone or internet and have an express company collect the form. The tax refund will be received within one week.

After launching the tax refund service, a shopping frenzy immediately emerged in Germany. Apollo, the largest duty-free shop in Germany and Germanstyle, the largest chain store in German cities, have comprehensively introduced TAX FREE EASY to provide the tax refund service; the introduction contributed to prominent sales achievements. Nowadays, upon consumption of at least 25 EUR in Apollo or Germanstyle, Chinese tourists are entitled to the tax refund through TAX FREE EASY. As reflected by the directors of Apollo and Germanstyle, the introduction of such a tax refund service significantly elevates the satisfaction level of customers. A large number of tourists have already experienced the outstanding advantages of TAX FREE EASY; the shops’ performance witnessed obvious growth.

About Apollo

As one of the largest duty-free companies in Germany, Apollo’s business covers Swiss watches, household and health care products as well as fashion jewelry. At Apollo, tourists can find what they need for themselves, their families and friends.

• Address:
  Apollo (Frankfurt): located in Berliner Str. 44, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, within walking distance to the renowned “Römerberg”.
  Apollo (Neuschwanstein Castle): located in the central area of Neuschwanstein Castle, a famous scenic spot in Germany, Schwangauer Str. 1A, 87645 Schwangau; at the only pathway linking the new and the old Castle. Standing at the front door of the shop, you can admire the beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle almost like in a fairy tale.
• International top brands in the shop:
  German renown kitchen ware: WMF, Fissler, Zwilling, Silit
  Fashionable lifestyle goods: Lamy, Faber Castell, Mont Blanc, Longchamp, Simsonite, Hartmann, TUMI
  Health care products: Sunshinehealth, Plazotta, Venta, Kiddy, Braun
  Watches and Jewelry: GP, Frankmuller, MontBlanc, Rado, Mido, Tissot, Titoni, Bucherer, Chopard, Corum
• Apollo provides Chinese-language service; Alipay acceptable;

About Germanstyle

Germanstyle was established in Hamburg in 2003 and is the largest chain store in German cities. Its business mainly covers German kitchen ware, along with other kinds of retail goods, such as jewelry and health care products. Germanstyle has the most convenient and the safest integration of tax refund services, and outlets in Munich, Frankfurt and Cologne.

• Address:
  Germanstyle (Munich): located in Thomas-Wimmer-Ring 1-3, 80539 München, adjacent to the famous Isaac Gate and Marienplatz; a place tourists have to visit when coming to Munich.
  Germanstyle (Frankfurt): located in Braubachstr. 36, 60311 Frankfurt-Altstadt and only 250 m away from Frankfurt Cathedral.
  Germanstyle (Cologne): located in Andreaskloster 2-4, 50667 Köln and only 300 m away from Cologne Cathedral.
• International top brands in the shop:
  Clocks and watches: Blancpain, Longines, Glashütte, Mido, Tissot, Rado, MontBlanc, Bvlgari
  Kitchen ware and household products: WMF, Fissler, Zwilling, Silit, Victorinox, Thermos
  Health care products: Sebamed, Doppelherz, Salus, Beurer, Plazotta, Dr.Hauschka
• Germanstyle provides Chinese-language service; Alipay acceptable;

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