Global Blue Releases the Monthly Tax Free Shopping Business Update for December 2024
Global Blue reports strong Tax Free Shopping growth worldwide in December 2024, with issued Sales in Store up 23% year-on-year. Continental Europe saw a 20% increase, driven by a 22% rise in shopper numbers, despite a slight 2% decrease in average spend. GCC shoppers led growth at 41%, followed by US shoppers at 34%.
In Asia Pacific, sales grew 29%, matching shopper number growth, with stable average spend. Mainland Chinese shoppers showed remarkable growth of 54%, driven by an 81% increase in shopper numbers. Key destination markets performed strongly, with South Korea (+64%), Japan (+32%), and Singapore (+6%).
Compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels, worldwide recovery reached 163%, with Japan showing exceptional recovery at 307%, while Singapore remained below 2019 levels at 77%.
Global Blue riporta una forte crescita del Tax Free Shopping in tutto il mondo a dicembre 2024, con vendite in negozio aumentate del 23% rispetto allo scorso anno. In Europa continentale si è registrato un incremento del 20%, trainato da un aumento del 22% nel numero di acquirenti, nonostante una leggera diminuzione del 2% nella spesa media. Gli acquirenti del GCC hanno guidato la crescita con un +41%, seguiti da quelli statunitensi con un +34%.
In Asia Pacifico, le vendite sono cresciute del 29%, corrispondendo alla crescita del numero di acquirenti, con una spesa media stabile. Gli acquirenti cinesi del continente hanno mostrato una crescita notevole del 54%, sostenuta da un aumento dell'81% nel numero di acquirenti. I mercati di destinazione chiave hanno performato bene, con la Corea del Sud (+64%), il Giappone (+32%) e Singapore (+6%).
Rispetto ai livelli pre-pandemia del 2019, il recupero globale ha raggiunto il 163%, con il Giappone che ha mostrato un recupero eccezionale al 307%, mentre Singapore è rimasta al di sotto dei livelli del 2019, raggiungendo solo il 77%.
Global Blue informa sobre un fuerte crecimiento del Tax Free Shopping en todo el mundo en diciembre de 2024, con ventas en tienda que aumentaron un 23% en comparación con el año anterior. En Europa continental, se registró un incremento del 20%, impulsado por un aumento del 22% en el número de compradores, a pesar de una leve disminución del 2% en el gasto promedio. Los compradores del GCC lideraron el crecimiento con un 41%, seguidos por compradores de EE. UU. con un 34%.
En Asia-Pacífico, las ventas crecieron un 29%, igualando el crecimiento en el número de compradores, manteniendo un gasto promedio estable. Los compradores de China continental mostraron un crecimiento notable del 54%, impulsado por un aumento del 81% en el número de compradores. Los mercados de destino clave tuvieron un rendimiento sólido, con Corea del Sur (+64%), Japón (+32%) y Singapur (+6%).
En comparación con los niveles prepandémicos de 2019, la recuperación global alcanzó el 163%, con Japón mostrando una recuperación excepcional del 307%, mientras que Singapur se mantuvo por debajo de los niveles de 2019 con un 77%.
Global Blue는 2024년 12월 전 세계에서 세금 면세 쇼핑이 강력하게 성장했다고 보고하며, 매장 판매가 작년 대비 23% 증가했음을 전했습니다. 유럽 대륙에서는 20% 증가가 있었으며, 이는 쇼핑객 수가 22% 증가하여 촉진되었으나, 평균 소비는 2% 감소했습니다. GCC 지역 쇼핑객들이 41%로 성장을 이끌었고, 이란 한국에서 온 쇼핑객이 34%로 뒤를 이었습니다.
아시아 태평양 지역에서는 판매가 29% 성장했으며, 이는 쇼핑객 수의 증가와 일치하며 평균 소비는 안정적으로 유지되었습니다. 본토 중국 쇼핑객들은 54%의 눈에 띄는 성장을 보였으며, 이는 81% 증가한 쇼핑객 수에 의해 이끌어졌습니다. 주요 목적지 시장은 강력한 실적을 보였으며, 한국 (+64%), 일본 (+32%), 싱가포르 (+6%)가 포함됩니다.
2019년 팬데믹 이전 수준과 비교할 때, 전 세계 회복률은 163%에 달했으며, 특히 일본의 경우 307%로 예외적인 회복을 보였고, 싱가포르는 2019년 수준 이하인 77%에 머물러 있었습니다.
Global Blue rapporte une forte croissance du Tax Free Shopping dans le monde en décembre 2024, les ventes en magasin ayant augmenté de 23% par rapport à l'année précédente. En Europe continentale, on a observé une augmentation de 20%, soutenue par une hausse de 22% du nombre de clients, malgré une légère baisse de 2% des dépenses moyennes. Les acheteurs du GCC ont conduit cette croissance avec 41%, suivis des acheteurs américains à 34%.
Dans le région Asie-Pacifique, les ventes ont augmenté de 29%, correspondant à la croissance du nombre d'acheteurs, avec des dépenses moyennes stables. Les acheteurs chinois du continent ont montré une croissance remarquée de 54%, soutenue par une augmentation de 81% du nombre d'acheteurs. Les marchés de destination clés ont bien performé, avec la Corée du Sud (+64%), le Japon (+32%) et Singapour (+6%).
Comparé aux niveaux d'avant la pandémie en 2019, la reprise mondiale a atteint 163%, le Japon affichant une reprise exceptionnelle à 307%, tandis que Singapour est resté en dessous des niveaux de 2019 avec 77%.
Global Blue berichtet von einem starken Wachstum des Tax Free Shopping weltweit im Dezember 2024, wobei die Verkaufszahlen im Geschäft im Vergleich zum Vorjahr um 23% gestiegen sind. In Kontinental-Europa gab es einen Anstieg von 20%, der durch einen Anstieg der Käuferzahlen um 22% angetrieben wurde, trotz eines leichten Rückgangs von 2% beim durchschnittlichen Ausgaben. Käufer aus dem GCC führten das Wachstum mit 41% an, gefolgt von US-Käufern mit 34%.
Im Asien-Pazifik-Raum wuchsen die Verkäufe um 29%, was dem Wachstum der Käuferzahlen entsprach, während die durchschnittlichen Ausgaben stabil blieben. Chinakäufer auf dem Festland zeigten ein bemerkenswertes Wachstum von 54%, unterstützt durch einen Anstieg der Käuferzahlen um 81%. Schlüsselmarktziele erzielten starke Leistungen, darunter Südkorea (+64%), Japan (+32%) und Singapur (+6%).
Im Vergleich zu den pandemiefreien Niveaus von 2019 erreichte die weltweite Erholung 163%, wobei Japan mit 307% eine außergewöhnliche Erholung zeigte, während Singapur mit 77% unter den Niveaus von 2019 blieb.
- Worldwide Tax Free Shopping sales increased 23% YoY
- Continental Europe sales up 20% with 22% more shoppers
- GCC shopper spending grew 41% in Continental Europe
- Asia Pacific sales increased 29% YoY
- Mainland Chinese spending in Asia Pacific up 54%
- Strong recovery vs 2019 levels at 163% worldwide
- Japan's exceptional recovery at 307% of 2019 levels
- 2% decline in average spend per shopper in Continental Europe
- Flat (0%) growth from Mainland Chinese shoppers in Continental Europe
- North East Asia spending declined 19% YoY in Asia Pacific
- Singapore remains below 2019 levels at 77% recovery
Insights
Global Blue's December 2024 tax-free shopping data reveals robust growth of +23% year-over-year, demonstrating strong recovery in luxury retail and international tourism. The Continental European market showed +20% growth, while Asia Pacific registered an impressive +29% increase.
Key performance indicators demonstrate shifting market dynamics: GCC shoppers lead Continental Europe with +41% growth, while Mainland Chinese spending in Asia Pacific surged +54%. The recovery versus 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels is particularly noteworthy, with worldwide performance at 163% of 2019 levels.
Japan's exceptional performance, reaching 307% of 2019 levels, suggests a significant shift in luxury retail geography. However, Singapore's underperformance at 77% of 2019 levels indicates ongoing challenges in certain markets. The sustained growth in European destinations, particularly France (173% of 2019) and Spain (180%), reflects the euro's weakness benefiting tourist spending.
The spending patterns reveal important shifts in global luxury retail dynamics. The +81% increase in Mainland Chinese shopper numbers in Asia Pacific signals a strong post-pandemic recovery in Chinese outbound tourism. However, their flat performance (0%) in Continental Europe suggests a geographical reorientation of Chinese luxury spending toward closer markets.
The divergence between shopper numbers (+22% in Europe, +29% in Asia Pacific) and average spend (declining or flat) indicates a broadening of the tax-free shopping customer base beyond ultra-high-net-worth individuals. This democratization could reshape luxury retail strategies.
South Korea's exceptional +64% growth reinforces its emerging status as a key luxury destination, potentially challenging traditional markets. The consistent performance across European destinations (France +19%, Italy +24%, Spain +22%) suggests a structural shift in luxury shopping patterns rather than temporary fluctuations.
-
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 +23% 1 in December 2024.
SIGNY,
In Continental
When examining origin markets, GCC shopper Tax Free Spend led the way at +
Regarding destination markets, December showed a solid performance in
A Very Strong Tax Free Spend Performance in
In
When examining origin markets, the positive momentum in issued Sales in Store growth continued across most nationalities. Mainland Chinese shopper Tax Free Spend led with a +
Regarding destination markets, December showed a strong performance across destinations, with
Worldwide Year-on-Year Growth Rate (2024 vs. 2023)
Issued SIS L/L Year-on-Year Growth |
Destination market weight in Issued SIS 2023 |
December 2024 |
November 2024 |
October 2024 |
CY Q3 2024 |
CY Q2 2024 |
CY Q1 2024 |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
+ |
- |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Other countries |
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
Total Continental Europe |
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
- |
|
|
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
Total |
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
Total |
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
- |
+ |
Total worldwide |
|
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
+ |
|
Worldwide Recovery Rate (versus 2019)
Issued SIS L/L recovery (in % of 2019) |
Destination market weight in Issued SIS 2019 |
December 2024 |
November 2024 |
October 2024 |
CY Q3 2024 |
CY Q2 2024 |
CY Q1 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other countries |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Continental Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total worldwide |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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,
- Gulf Cooperation Council countries include:
- North East Asia countries includes:
-
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
For more information, please visit www.globalblue.com
Global Blue Monthly Intelligence Briefing, December 2024, Source: Global Blue
_______________________
1 Growth rate variation year-on-year (2024 vs. the same period in 2023)
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250110794338/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 Global Blue's worldwide Tax Free Shopping growth in December 2024?
How did Mainland Chinese shoppers perform in different regions for GB in December 2024?
Which destination markets showed the strongest performance for Global Blue in December 2024?
How does Global Blue's December 2024 performance compare to pre-pandemic levels?
What was the performance of GCC shoppers in Continental Europe for December 2024?
