What: The global tax refund service company released its monthly tax-free shopping business update, revealing that recovery is continuing to strengthen across Europe and Asia Pacific.

Why it is important: As travel picks up and tourists return, consumer recovery rates are increasing and duty-free shopping is recovering, particularly in Continental Europe.

In Continental Europe, issued sales in-store have a stabilized recovery at 106% in January vs. the same period in 2019, with US nationals continuing to lead the recovery in the region.

Asian shopper recovery continues to progress in Europe with South East Asia shopper recovery reaching 153%.

The Mediterranean countries are at the forefront of recovery for destination markets, with the recovery being led by France at 145%, followed closely by Portugal at 144%, Greece (139%), Spain at 120%, and Switzerland (107%).

In Asia Pacific, recovery reached 96% in January in comparison to 2019 with Japan remaining a leader in the region.

Japan led with a recovery rate of 115%, followed by South Korea at 76% and Singapore at 70%.

Within the reopened travel corridors, consumption recovered to 158% in comparison to 2019.

With Chinese borders reopening on January 8th, the consumption recovery rate of mainland Chinese consumers in continental Europe reached 22%, increasing by 4% compared to December.

Additionally, Chinese consumers’ willingness to travel reached a record high at 76%.

Global Blue’s latest report: Mainland China’s consumers’ willingness to travel reaches a new high of 76%; duty free shopping is recovering in Asia Pacific and Europe