Value Retail Expands Travel Partnerships in China to Offer More Benefits for International Guests

SHANGHAI, June 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

New alliance with China Eastern, partnership with Ctrip, and food, art and fashion during Expo Milano 2015 will cater to Chinese tourists  

Value Retail - the creator and operator of the Village Collection, ten luxury outlet shopping Villages across Europe and China - is to launch a partnership with China Eastern Airlines, one of the three major airlines in mainland China. The announcement was made at the ILTM Asia luxury travel trade show taking place in Shanghai this week.

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The partnership means China Eastern's frequent flyer programme members can take advantage of special privileges including three miles for every £/€ or 10RMB spent across the Collection. In addition, throughout 2015, bonus miles promotions, VIP offerings, shopping packages and special savings will be offered to members of China Eastern's frequent flyer programme.  

The alliance with China Eastern Airlines is the latest travel and tourism partnerships formed to promote the Collection of Villages to Chinese guests. Earlier this year, Value Retail announced a new partnership with Ctrip - China's leading online travel agency, which provides travel services through online and traditional channels - making the Collection of Villages' luxury experience accessible to an even wider Chinese audience. Value Retail is also a partner of Air China. A current initiative means guests can claim three miles for every £/€ or 10RMB spent in the Villages.

The authentically European experience on offer at the Villages, which combines luxury shopping with art, culture, gastronomy and special events, is highly popular with Chinese guests. In 2014 China was the top-contributing strategic market for tax-refunded (non-EU) sales, accounting for 44% of total tax-refunded sales - an increase of 29% year-on-year. To welcome Chinese guests, special services have been introduced across the Collection including Mandarin-speaking hosts and the acceptance of payment by UnionPay International in many boutiques.

This unique outlet shopping experience is now available in China, as Suzhou Village - the first Village in China by Value Retail - celebrated its first anniversary this month. With its unique edit of Asian and international brands combined with world-class exhibitions and events, the Village has been hailed as part of a new generation of outlets in China. The second Village in China, Shanghai Village, will open in spring 2016, adjacent to the Shanghai Disney Resort.

Chinese guests to Expo Milano 2015 can get a taste of the unique experiences on offer at the Chinese Villages by visiting Fidenza Village near Milan. Especially for the Expo period, Fidenza Village has transformed into 'The Embassy of Made in Italy'; a showcase of Italian art, fashion, gastronomy and design, developed in collaboration with a host of prestigious partners and ambassadors. A programme of multisensory experiences and events are set to unfold over the summer inspired by three typically Italian themes: 'Romantic Opera' (May - June), 'La Dolce Vita' (July - August), and 'Italian Passion' (September - October). Chinese guests can also discover a programme of events and special incentives across the Collection to coincide with the Golden Week holiday in October.

ILTM Asia is an invitation-only global event where the suppliers of the world's best luxury travel experiences can meet the buyers representing Asia Pacific's fast-growing and sought-after market of luxury travellers. It is taking place at Shanghai Exhibition Centre, 1-4 June 2015.

About Value Retail  

Value Retail is the only company to specialise exclusively in the development and operation of luxury outlet shopping destinations, the Collection of Villages. The Villages are widely recognised as amongst the best performing shopping centres in terms of sales densities in the world. Since its beginning with Bicester Village in 1995, the Collection has delivered double digit gross sales growth each year and in 2014 attracted 32.5 million visits. Each Village is located within an hour of at least one major European city and has established itself as an international shopping tourism destination, defined by high fashion, superior service and hospitality, and a calendar of celebrated events. Value Retail China, an affiliate of Value Retail, opened the first Village in China, Suzhou Village, in Suzhou, 50 miles west of Shanghai in May 2014. A second, Shanghai Village, will open in spring 2016 next to the Shanghai Disney Resort, located at the heart of a Chinese government multi-billion US Dollar master plan, the Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone (SITRZ). To learn more about Value Retail and Value Retail China, please visit ValueRetail.com

About China Eastern Airlines 

China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited has its headquarter located in Shanghai. As one of the three major airlines in mainland China, it flies a fleet of more than 430 long-haul and short-haul aircraft with an average age of less than seven years. China Eastern serves nearly 80 million travelers annually and ranks among the world's top 5 airlines in terms of passenger transportation volume. As an official member of SkyTeam, China Eastern has extended its flight network from Shanghai to 1000 cities in 187 countries via close cooperation with SkyTeam member airlines. Members of Eastern Miles can participate in the mileage accumulate and redeem program, enjoy member benefits and use any one of the 525 VIP lounges across the world within all 19 SkyTeam member airlines.

As the end of 2012, China Eastern was awarded the "Golden Ting Award" by China Capital Market Annual Conference 2012, and has been recognized as one of the 50 most valuable Chinese brands by WPP and been ranked among the top ten of FORTUNE China CSR Ranking 2013.

With the concept of "World-class hospitality with Eastern charm", China Eastern creates splendid travel experiences for global customers with an "accurate, delicate and precise" service quality.

For further information, please contact:

Ben Han, Redbridge Communications: ben@redbridgecommunications.com

SOURCE Value Retail