Affordability to boost retail trade prospects

Local shoppers will be in for a treat in Tianjin with a greater selection of products, as well as an influx of foreign brands.

Consumers will be able to buy bonded imported goods at the Tianjin European Trade Center, which is located at the city's airport area, after the launch of the China (Tianjin) Pilot Free Trade Zone.

As the first duty-free outlet at the FTZ, it will sell products directly ordered from European factories with customs supervision. They are likely to be between 20 to 70 percent cheaper than the same brands in shopping malls.