Global Blue Releases the Monthly Tax Free Shopping Business Update for April 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Global Blue has released the monthly Tax Free Shopping business update for April 2024, showing a global dynamic recovery in Tax Free Shopping across Continental Europe and Asia Pacific. The recovery rate accelerated globally to 153% in April 2024 compared to 2019, exceeding Q1 2024's 140%. Continental Europe saw a recovery rate of 137% in April compared to 128% in Q1 2024, with strong performances in Spain, France, and Italy. While the US shopper recovery accelerated to 336%, the GCC recovery was negatively impacted by the Ramadan period, dropping to 198%. In Asia Pacific, the recovery rate hit a record level of 194% in April, driven by Japan and South Korea. Mainland Chinese shoppers saw a recovery rate of 112% globally and 158% in Asia Pacific in April.

Positive

• Global Blue's Tax Free Shopping business saw an accelerating recovery globally in April 2024, surpassing 2019 levels.

• Continental Europe experienced a strong recovery in Tax Free Shopping in April 2024, with Spain, France, and Italy leading the way.

• The recovery rate for US shoppers increased to 336% in April 2024.

• Mainland Chinese shoppers saw a recovery rate of 158% in Asia Pacific in April 2024.

Negative

• The GCC recovery was negatively impacted by the shift of the Ramadan period, dropping to 198% in April 2024.

• Mainland Chinese shopper recovery in Continental Europe remained at 68% in April 2024.

• Fresh data from Global Blue reveals that the global dynamic recovery for Tax Free Shopping accelerated across Continental Europe and Asia Pacific.
• Globally, issued Sales in Store like-for-like recovery reached 153%¹ in April 2024 compared to the same period in 2019, vs. 140%¹ in Q1 2024.

SIGNY, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- An accelerating worldwide recovery, compared to 2019 levels

In Continental Europe, April 2024 recovery is ahead of Q1 ‘24 recovery, reaching 137%¹ in April vs. 128%¹ in Q1 ‘24, driven by a strong recovery in Spain (166%¹), France (158%¹) and Italy (145%¹).

Regarding origin markets, US shopper recovery accelerated, reaching 336%¹ in April vs. 307%¹ in Q1 ’24. The shift of the Ramadan period negatively impacted GCC recovery², which stood at 198%¹ in April vs. 277%¹ in Q1 ‘24.

In Asia Pacific, the recovery rate reached a record level at 194%¹ in April vs. 166%¹ in Q1 ‘24, fueled by a strong performance in Japan (272%¹) and South Korea (144%¹).

In terms of origin markets, travelers from Hong Kong and Taiwan continue to lead the recovery, reaching 517%¹ in April vs. 502%¹ in Q1 ‘24. Following behind are North East Asia travelers, with a recovery rate of 323%¹ in April vs. 287%¹ in Q1 ‘24.

In terms of Mainland Chinese shoppers, the worldwide issued Sales in Store like-for-like recovery reached 112%¹ in April vs. 101%¹ in Q1 ‘24. Within Continental Europe, Mainland Chinese shopper recovery reached 68%¹ in April, in line with the previous two months. In Asia Pacific, Mainland Chinese shopper recovery accelerates, reaching 158%¹ in April vs. 125%¹ in Q1 ’24.

A strong year-on-year performance for international shopping

When analyzing the year-on-year variation in Tax Free Shopping growth, the worldwide issued Sales in Store like-for-like year-on-year performance reached +46% in April 2024 vs. last year.

The issued Sales in Store in Continental Europe grew by +25%³ in April 2024 vs. last year, influenced by a positive dynamic across nationalities.

Regarding origin markets, the issued Sales in Stores growth was positively influenced by most nationalities, with GCC shoppers leading the way with a +87%³ growth rate in April 2024, benefiting from a positive Ramadan calendar effect⁴. They were followed by Mainland Chinese shoppers at +47%³ and US shoppers at +23%³.

In Asia Pacific, the issued Sales in Stores growth rate continues to remain high, reaching +103%³ in April 2024 vs. last year. All nationalities contributed positively, with Mainland Chinese leading the way at +262%³ in April 2024 vs. 2023, North East shoppers at +159%³ and Hong Kong and Taiwan at +52%³.

Issued SIS L/L recovery1 (in % of 2019)	% Issued SIS 2019	April 2024	March 2024	February 2024	January 2024	CY Q1 2024	CY Q4 2023
France	22%	158%	160%	174%	164%	165%	140%
Italy	24%	145%	135%	131%	111%	123%	123%
Spain	14%	166%	152%	134%	153%	151%	133%
Germany	13%	73%	69%	71%	70%	65%	74%
Other countries	27%	129%	121%	127%	121%	126%	111%
Total Continental Europe	100%	137%	130%	132%	125%	128%	118%
Japan	54%	262%	235%	229%	232%	232%	225%
Singapore	42%	81%	111%	84%	85%	92%	75%
South Korea	4%	140%	127%	118%	131%	125%	111%
Total Asia Pacific	100%	192%	181%	159%	161%	166%	150%
Total worldwide	100%	153%	145%	141%	135%	140%	127%

APPENDIX

Worldwide recovery rate (versus 2019) rate

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

Issued SIS L/L Year-on-Year Growth3	% Issued SIS 2023	April 2024	March 2024	February 2024	January 2024	CY Q1 2024
France	26%	+13%	+3%	+21%	+11%	+11%
Italy	25%	+30%	+20%	+44%	+26%	+29%
Spain	15%	+38%	+18%	+52%	+31%	+32%
Germany	8%	+15%	-10%	+9%	+20%	+6%
Other countries	26%	+24%	+9%	+30%	+8%	+16%
Total Continental Europe	100%	+25%	+9%	+32%	+17%	+19%
Japan	65%	+167%	+146%	+170%	+100%	+137%
Singapore	27%	-4%	+24%	+36%	+15%	25%
South Korea	8%	+63%	+96%	+138%	+108%	110%
Total Asia Pacific	100%	+103%	+102%	+120%	+71%	97%
Total worldwide	100%	+46%	+33%	57%	+34%	40%

GLOSSARY

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

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

- North East Asia includes: Japan, South Korea

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 €20bn Sales in Store and €311M revenue in FY 2022/23. Global Blue is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more information, please visit www.globalblue.com

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

____________________

¹ Recovery rate is equal to 2024 Issued Sales in Store divided by 2019 Issued Sales in Store, like-for-like (i.e.: at constant merchant scope and exchange rates).
² Ramadan took place from March 10 to April 9 in 2024; while it took place from May 5 to June 3 in 2019.
³ Growth rate variation year-on-year (2024 vs. the same period in 2023)
⁴ Ramadan took place from March 10 to April 9 in 2024; while it took place from March 22 to April 20 in 2023.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507340179/en/

MEDIA CONTACTS

Virginie Alem – SVP Marketing & Communications

Mail: valem@globalblue.com

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS

Frances Gibbons – Head of Investor Relations

Mob: +44 (0)7815 034 212

Mail: fgibbons@globalblue.com

Source: Global Blue

FAQ

What was the global Tax Free Shopping recovery rate in April 2024 compared to 2019?

The global Tax Free Shopping recovery rate in April 2024 was 153% compared to 2019.

How did the US shopper recovery rate change from Q1 2024 to April 2024?

The US shopper recovery rate increased to 336% in April 2024.

What was the impact of the Ramadan period on GCC recovery in April 2024?

The GCC recovery was negatively impacted, dropping to 198% in April 2024.

What was the Mainland Chinese shopper recovery rate in Asia Pacific in April 2024?

The Mainland Chinese shopper recovery rate was 158% in Asia Pacific in April 2024.