[Ji Shuangcheng, a reporter from the World Wide Web Report in the UK] On February 11th, a China student who claimed to be doing odd jobs in the duty-free shop in the second terminal of London Heathrow Airport broke the news that the duty-free shop treated China consumers differently in price, requiring China guests to pay 1,000 pounds to get coupons, while foreigners only had to pay 79 pounds, "playing Chinese like a monkey". On the 11th, Huanhuan called the person in charge of relevant media affairs at Heathrow Airport. When the other party heard that it was necessary to verify the matter, it was evasive and suggested that the reporter ask the headquarters.
Weibo screenshot
On 11th, an article entitled "To China people who have shopped in duty-free shops at Heathrow Airport" was screened on Weibo. The author of the article revealed that China consumers were required to spend 1,000 pounds at the airport in the duty-free sales area of the second terminal of the airport without any written explanation before they were eligible to receive a 20% discount coupon for the second consumption, whereas they only needed to spend 250-500 pounds before. What’s even more infuriating is that the standard of 1,000 pounds is only for "customers flying to China", while foreigners only need to spend 79 pounds to get this coupon.
According to the informant, whether it helps China consumers to get 20% discount coupons according to the same treatment, the informant theorizes with the duty manager of duty-free shops, and the duty manager also acquiesces that the above policies for treating different consumers are different, and there is indeed no written stipulation. But the whistleblower was told the next day that he didn’t need to come to work.
Terminal 2 of London Heathrow Airport is a place where China tourists used to spend more. According to the employee, China consumers who take China flights every day are the main consumer groups in the duty-free zone of the terminal.
On the 11th, Huanhuan tried to contact the duty-free sales area of Heathrow Airport Terminal 2, and obtained the mobile phone number of Kauna, the representative in charge of media liaison affairs. During the call, Huanhuan first asked her if she knew what the whistleblower said on social media. Is it true? Unexpectedly, Kauna’s phone quickly hung up.
After the reporter called her four times in ten minutes, she first hung up on her own initiative. After the last call, she told the reporter in a quick language that she didn’t understand this problem and needed me to consult the relevant Dufry Group headquarters.
The duty-free shop business at London Heathrow Airport belongs to Dufry Group, which has more than 2,000 shops in 380 airports around the world.
Huanhuan: As the Spring Festival holiday is approaching, Huanhuan can only help you so much for China tourists shopping at Heathrow Airport.