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Global Blue Reports 21% Surge in Tax-Free Shopping, Chinese Tourists Fuel 54% Spending Boom | GB Stock News

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Global Blue Reports 21% Surge in Tax-Free Shopping, Chinese Tourists Fuel 54% Spending Boom | GB Stock News





Global Blue reports positive worldwide Tax Free Shopping growth of +21% in November 2024 compared to the previous year. Continental Europe showed a +16% increase in issued Sales in Store, driven by a +19% rise in shoppers, despite a -3% decrease in average spend. GCC shoppers led with +33% growth, followed by US shoppers at +20%.

Asia Pacific demonstrated strong performance with +30% growth, powered by a +31% increase in shoppers. Mainland Chinese spending surged +54%, with an impressive +84% increase in shopper numbers. Key markets showed robust growth: South Korea (+48%), Japan (+34%), and Singapore (+8%). The data indicates significant recovery compared to 2019 levels, with Japan reaching 296% and Spain 171% of pre-pandemic figures.

Global Blue riporta una crescita positiva del Tax Free Shopping a livello mondiale del +21% nel novembre 2024 rispetto all’anno precedente. L’Europa continentale ha registrato un aumento del +16% nelle vendite in negozio, trainato da un incremento del +19% nel numero di acquirenti, nonostante una diminuzione del -3% nella spesa media. I consumatori del GCC hanno guidato la crescita con un +33%, seguiti dagli acquirenti statunitensi con un +20%.

La regione Asia-Pacifico ha mostrato una forte performance con una crescita del +30%, sostenuta da un aumento del +31% nel numero di acquirenti. La spesa sulla terraferma cinese è aumentata del +54%, con un impressionante incremento del +84% nel numero di acquirenti. I mercati chiave hanno registrato una crescita robusta: Corea del Sud (+48%), Giappone (+34%) e Singapore (+8%). I dati indicano un significativo recupero rispetto ai livelli del 2019, con il Giappone che raggiunge il 296% e la Spagna il 171% rispetto ai valori pre-pandemia.

Global Blue informa sobre un crecimiento positivo en el Tax Free Shopping a nivel mundial de +21% en noviembre de 2024 comparado con el año anterior. Europa continental mostró un aumento del +16% en las ventas en tienda, impulsado por un aumento del +19% en el número de compradores, a pesar de una disminución del -3% en el gasto promedio. Los compradores del GCC lideraron con un crecimiento del +33%, seguidos por los compradores de EE.UU. con un +20%.

Asia-Pacífico demostró un rendimiento sólido con un crecimiento del +30%, respaldado por un aumento del +31% en el número de compradores. El gasto en la China continental se disparó un +54%, con un impresionante aumento del +84% en el número de compradores. Los mercados clave mostraron un crecimiento robusto: Corea del Sur (+48%), Japón (+34%) y Singapur (+8%). Los datos indican una recuperación significativa en comparación con los niveles de 2019, con Japón alcanzando el 296% y España el 171% de las cifras anteriores a la pandemia.

글로벌 블루는 2024년 11월 전년 대비 +21%의 긍정적인 글로벌 면세 쇼핑 성장률을 보고했습니다. 유럽 대륙의 매장 판매는 +16% 증가했으며, 구매자 수는 +19% 증가했지만 평균 지출은 -3% 감소했습니다. GCC 구매자는 +33% 성장률로 선두를 달렸고, 그 뒤를 이어 미국 구매자가 +20% 성장했습니다.

아시아 태평양 지역은 +30% 성장률을 기록하며 강력한 성과를 보였고, 구매자 수는 +31% 증가했습니다. 중국 본토의 소비는 +54% 급증하며 구매자 수는 +84% 증가했습니다. 주요 시장에서는 다음과 같은 강력한 성장을 보여주었습니다: 한국 (+48%), 일본 (+34%), 싱가포르 (+8%). 데이터는 2019년과 비교했을 때 상당한 회복을 나타내며, 일본은 296% 및 스페인은 171%의 팬데믹 이전 수치를 기록했습니다.

Global Blue rapporte une croissance positive du Tax Free Shopping à l’échelle mondiale de +21% en novembre 2024 par rapport à l’année précédente. L’Europe continentale a montré une augmentation de +16% des ventes en magasin, tirée par une hausse de +19% du nombre d’acheteurs, malgré une diminution de -3% des dépenses moyennes. Les acheteurs du GCC ont dominé avec une croissance de +33%, suivis par les acheteurs américains à +20%.

La région Asie-Pacifique a démontré des performances solides avec une croissance de +30%, alimentée par une augmentation de +31% du nombre d’acheteurs. Les dépenses des consommateurs chinois continentaux ont bondi de +54%, avec une impressionnante augmentation de +84% du nombre d’acheteurs. Les marchés clés ont montré une forte croissance : Corée du Sud (+48%), Japon (+34%) et Singapour (+8%). Les données indiquent une reprise significative par rapport aux niveaux de 2019, le Japon atteignant 296% et l’Espagne 171% des chiffres d’avant la pandémie.

Global Blue berichtet von einem positiven Wachstum im Tax Free Shopping weltweit von +21% im November 2024 im Vergleich zum Vorjahr. Mitteleuropa verzeichnete einen Anstieg von +16% bei den im Geschäft erzielten Verkäufen, angetrieben von einem Anstieg der Käufer um +19%, trotz eines Rückgangs der durchschnittlichen Ausgaben um -3%. Die Käufer aus dem GCC führten mit einem Wachstum von +33%, gefolgt von US-Käufern mit +20%.

Der asiatisch-pazifische Raum zeigte eine starke Leistung mit einem Wachstum von +30%, unterstützt durch einen Anstieg der Käuferzahl um +31%. Das Ausgabeverhalten festlandchinesischer Verbraucher stieg um +54%, mit einem beeindruckenden Anstieg der Käuferzahl um +84%. Schlüsselmärkte zeigten robustes Wachstum: Südkorea (+48%), Japan (+34%) und Singapur (+8%). Die Daten zeigen eine bedeutende Erholung im Vergleich zu den Werten von 2019, wobei Japan 296% und Spanien 171% der Zahlen vor der Pandemie erreicht.

Positive


  • Worldwide Tax Free Shopping growth of +21% YoY


  • Continental Europe sales increased +16% with +19% more shoppers


  • Asia Pacific showed strong +30% growth with +31% more shoppers


  • Mainland Chinese spending increased +54% with +84% more shoppers


  • Strong recovery vs 2019: Japan (296%), Spain (171%)


Negative


  • Average spend per shopper declined -3% in Continental Europe


  • North East Asia Tax Free Spend decreased -4% YoY


  • Average spend per shopper in Asia Pacific declined -1%


Insights


The November 2024 Tax Free Shopping data reveals significant global growth, with worldwide issued Sales in Store increasing by 21% year-over-year. Continental Europe shows resilient performance at 16% growth, driven by GCC and US shoppers, while Asia Pacific demonstrates robust expansion at 30%, primarily fueled by Mainland Chinese travelers.

The recovery rates compared to 2019 are particularly noteworthy, with the worldwide figure at 155%. Japan leads with an impressive 296% recovery rate, while European destinations like Spain (171%) and France (154%) show strong rebounds. This indicates a sustained recovery in international luxury retail spending, despite global economic headwinds.

The slight decrease in average spend per shopper (-3% in Europe, -1% in Asia Pacific) reflects broader inflation moderation but isn’t significantly impacting overall growth. The increasing shopper numbers suggest growing travel confidence and consumption patterns returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Global Blue’s November performance indicates strong operational momentum and revenue potential. The sustained growth across major markets, particularly the 54% increase in Mainland Chinese spending and 33% growth from GCC shoppers, suggests robust transaction volume growth for the company’s core tax-free shopping business.

Key markets are significantly outperforming 2019 levels, with total worldwide recovery at 155%. This above-baseline performance, combined with the company’s high-margin business model, should positively impact profitability. The geographic diversification across Continental Europe (71% of business) and Asia Pacific (28%) provides stability and multiple growth vectors.

The increasing shopper numbers despite slightly lower average spending indicates healthy underlying demand and potential for sustained revenue growth, particularly as travel patterns continue normalizing and cross-border shopping recovers.












  • New data from Global Blue reveals that the worldwide growth in Tax Free Shopping is positive across Continental Europe and Asia Pacific: Issued Sales in Store like-for-like year-on-year performance reached +21%1 in November 2024.

SIGNY, Switzerland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
A sustained performance in Continental Europe for international shopping

In Continental Europe, the issued Sales in Store increased by +16%1 in November 2024 vs. last year, slightly ahead of October growth (+12%1). This growth was led by a +19%1 increase in the number of shoppers and was slightly impacted by a softening of –3%1 in the average spend per shopper, as a result of an overall inflation slowdown.

When examining origin markets, GCC shopper Tax Free Spend led the way at +33%1 vs. last year, followed by US shoppers at +20%1.

Regarding destination markets, November showed a solid performance in Spain and Italy at +20%1, and France at +12%1.

A solid Tax Free Spend performance in Asia Pacific

In Asia Pacific, the issued Sales in Store growth reached +30%1 in November 2024, in line with October 2024 (+29%1), led by a +31%1 increase in the number of shoppers and a –1%1 decrease in the average spend per shopper.

When examining origin markets, the positive momentum in issued Sales in Store growth continued across most nationalities. Mainland Chinese Tax Free Spend led with a +54%1 increase, driven by a +84%1 rise in the number of shoppers. Hong Kong and Taiwan Tax Free Spend experienced a rise of +9%1 vs. last year while North East Asia Tax Free Spend softened by –4%1 vs. last year. Regarding destination markets, November showed a strong performance across destinations, with South Korea at +48%1, Japan at +34%1, and Singapore at +8%1.

Worldwide Year-on-Year Growth Rate (2024 vs. 2023)

Issued SIS L/L

Year-on-Year Growth

Destination market weight in Issued SIS 2023

November

2024

October

2024

September

2024

 CY

Q3 2024

CY

Q2 2024

 CY

Q1 2024

France

19%

+12%

+10%

+7%

+2%

+10%

+11%

Italy

17%

+20%

+15%

+17%

+16%

+22%

+29%

Spain

11%

+20%

+21%

+24%

+24%

+33%

+32%

Germany

6%

+6%

–5%

–3%

+5%

+2%

+6%

Other countries

18%

+16%

+11%

+7%

+10%

+21%

+16%

Total Continental Europe

71%

+16%

+12%

+11%

+11%

+19%

+19%

Japan

18%

+34%

+32%

+23%

+57%

+172%

+137%

Singapore

8%

+8%

+16%

–2%

–3%

–1%

25%

South Korea

2%

+48%

+42%

+45%

+42%

+60%

110%

Total Asia Pacific

28%

+30%

+29%

+19%

+40%

+109%

97%

Total Latin America

1%

+34%

+32%

+19%

+23%

–2%

+9%

Total worldwide

100%

+21%

+17%

+13%

+19%

+41%

40%

Worldwide Recovery Rate (versus 2019)

Issued SIS L/L

recovery

(in % of 2019)

Destination market weight in Issued SIS 2019

November

2024

October

2024

September

2024

CY

Q3 2024

CY

Q2 2024

CY

Q1 2024

France

16%

154%

150%

158%

144%

164%

165%

Italy

17%

147%

144%

155%

146%

156%

123%

Spain

10%

171%

158%

169%

161%

164%

151%

Germany

9%

79%

66%

79%

75%

80%

65%

Other countries

19%

134%

121%

127%

126%

132%

126%

Total Continental Europe

71%

138%

131%

141%

133%

143%

128%

Japan

14%

296%

293%

243%

290%

327%

232%

Singapore

11%

86%

87%

74%

81%

92%

92%

South Korea

3%

173%

163%

163%

162%

158%

125%

Total Asia Pacific

28%

198%

191%

162%

186%

226%

166%

Total Latin America

1%

110%

132%

142%

104%

101%

94%

Total worldwide

100%

155%

146%

146%

145%

165%

140%

APPENDIX

GLOSSARY

– European Non-EU countries include: Shoppers who can reach destination by land transportation or less than a two hour flight. Ex: Swiss, British, Ukraine etc.

– Gulf Cooperation Council countries include: Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman

– North East Asia countries includes: Japan, South Korea

– South East Asia countries includes: Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore

ABOUT GLOBAL BLUE

Global Blue is the business partner for the shopping journey, providing technology and services to enhance the experience and drive performance.

With over 40 years of expertise, today we connect thousands of retailers, acquirers, and hotels with nearly 80 million consumers across 53 countries, in three industries: Tax Free Shopping, Payments and Post-Purchase solutions.

With over 2,000 employees, Global Blue generated €28bn Sales in Store and €422M revenue in FY 2023/24. Global Blue is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more information, please visit www.globalblue.com

Global Blue Monthly Intelligence Briefing, November 2024, Source: Global Blue

1 Growth rate variation year-on-year (2024 vs. the same period in 2023)

MEDIA

Virginie Alem – SVP Marketing & Communications

Mail: valem@globalblue.com

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Frances Gibbons – Head of Investor Relations

Mob: +44 (0)7815 034 212

Mail: fgibbons@globalblue.com

Source: Global Blue








FAQ



What was Global Blue’s (GB) worldwide Tax Free Shopping growth in November 2024?


Global Blue reported a +21% year-over-year growth in worldwide Tax Free Shopping for November 2024.


How did Mainland Chinese spending perform in Global Blue’s (GB) November 2024 report?


Mainland Chinese Tax Free Spend increased by +54%, driven by an +84% increase in the number of shoppers.


Which countries showed the strongest performance in Global Blue’s (GB) European market?


Spain and Italy led European performance with +20% growth each, followed by France at +12% in November 2024.


What was the recovery rate for Japan compared to 2019 in Global Blue’s (GB) November 2024 report?


Japan showed a strong recovery rate of 296% compared to 2019 levels.





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