DFS Group

Beginnings

In 1960, American entrepreneurs Charles Feeney[5] and Robert Warren Miller[6] founded Tourists International, which later became Duty Free Shoppers (DFS), in Hong Kong. In 1962, two DFS stores were opened at the international airports in Hong Kong and Honolulu, the first duty-free shop in the United States.[7]

Expansion

In the 1960s and 1970s DFS Group significantly expanded their operation in Pacific Islands and North America. DFS capitalized on the rising wave of Asian tourists who began to travel further overseas, opening stores in international airports and later in downtown locations where travelers have their purchases delivered before departure.[8] In 1968, DFS opened its first downtown duty-free store in Kowloon, Hong Kong, followed shortly thereafter by Honolulu and eventually expanding to 14 locations all over the world.[9]

Acquisition

In 1996, LVMH acquired the majority share of DFS Group,[10] buying out partners Feeney, Parker, and Pilaro and setting a new focus on the combined elements of travel and luxury.[11] In 2004, the company moved its headquarters to Hong Kong from San Francisco, California as part of a corporate restructure.

Branding Initiatives

In 2013 DFS undertook a major branding initiative. It re-branded its downtown Galleria Stores “T Galleria” and moved to a strategy of localization for airports, working with local suppliers to increase its mix of “destination” products.[12][2] In 2015 it launched T Galleria Beauty by DFS, a standalone beauty concept store in Hong Kong and Macau.[13]

In 2016 DFS expanded its operations, opening a significantly extended space at T Galleria by DFS, City of Dreams in Macau,[14] and its first European store, T Fondaco dei Tedeschi in Venice, Italy.

2020 – Present

In 2022, DFS opened its first "Resort Galleria" concept at DFS Queenstown in New Zealand and its eighth store in Macau at The Londoner Macao with unique Londoner-themed accents.

In 2023, DFS opened its first China domestic airport store at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. In the same year, DFS launched a new global loyalty program, DFS CIRCLE, and introduced its new Chinese name: 迪斐世. DFS launched the Beauty Collective concept at DFS Hong Kong, Causeway Bay.

In 2024, DFS transitioned from T Galleria towards a singular DFS brand identity for its airport and downtown stores.

DFS Group's share in La Samaritaine were sold back to LVMH in February 2025.[15] In July 2025 it was announced that as part of a restructuring DFS would exit Oceania.[16]

In January 2026, DFS sold its travel retail business and a series of "DFS brands and intellectual properties" in China, Hong Kong, and Macau (excluding the City of Dreams store) to China Tourism Group Duty Free.[17]

CEOs

• 1) Adrian Bellamy (1983–1995)[18]
• 2) Myron E. Ullman (1995–1998)[19]
• 3) Brian Kendrick (1998–1999)[20][21]
• 4) Ed Brennan (1999–2012)[22]
• 5) Philip Schaus (2012–2017)[22]
• 6) Benjamin Vuchot (2020–2024)[23]
• 7) Ed Brennan (2024–)[24]

Operating

Closed

Cancelled