Heathrow Airport’s World Duty Free has recently made a significant stride in catering to the needs of Chinese travelers by introducing WeChat Pay as a payment option in their store. This move, made possible with the support of payments company SafeCharge, allows Chinese shoppers to pay for their purchases conveniently through the popular e-wallet solution.
The decision to integrate WeChat Pay comes as no surprise, considering the growing impact of Chinese tourists on the UK economy. With over 330,000 visitors from China in 2017 alone, injecting more than £1 billion, it is evident that capturing this market is crucial for businesses like World Duty Free.
Tony O’Donnell, the UK financial controller at World Duty Free, has expressed excitement over the positive response to the launch of WeChat Pay in Terminal 4. He plans to extend this option to other terminals, acknowledging SafeCharge for their seamless support in making this happen smoothly. O’Donnell looks forward to further collaboration with SafeCharge in expanding to additional locations and concessions in the future.
David Avgi, the CEO of SafeCharge, emphasized the importance of adapting to the preferences of Chinese shoppers, who are known for their tech-savvy nature and preference for mobile payments. With Chinese tourism growing rapidly each year, it is essential for businesses to offer alternative payment methods like WeChat Pay to stay competitive and provide an exceptional shopping experience for their customers.
In addition to benefiting Chinese travelers, the integration of WeChat Pay also opens up new opportunities for brands to engage with consumers. By offering promotional incentives, such as coupons and cash-back rewards, businesses can create interactive shopping experiences and build customer loyalty. This innovative approach not only aligns with the changing landscape of retail and technology but also sets a benchmark for other retailers to follow suit and meet the diverse payment preferences of international customers.
This strategic move by Heathrow Airport’s World Duty Free signifies a shift towards a more customer-centric approach, catering to the needs of a global audience and setting a standard for excellence in the realm of international commerce.
To learn more about WeChat Pay, visit WeChat Pay. For more information on SafeCharge and their payment solutions, visit SafeCharge.
