Menu
Home Explore People Places Arts History Plants & Animals Science Life & Culture Technology
On this page
DFS Group
Hong Kong luxury travel retailer

DFS Group (DFS) (Chinese: 迪斐世) is a global travel retailer of luxury products based in Hong Kong. Established in 1960, its global network consists of stores located in major global airports and downtown locations featuring over 750 brands. It is privately held and majority owned by the luxury conglomerate Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH), alongside DFS co-founder and shareholder Robert Warren Miller. As of January 11, 1997, DFS Group operates as a subsidiary of LVMH. DFS is headquartered in Hong Kong SAR.

Related Image Collections Add Image
Profiles
1 Image
We don't have any YouTube videos related to DFS Group yet.
We don't have any PDF documents related to DFS Group yet.
We don't have any Books related to DFS Group yet.

History

Beginnings

In 1960, American entrepreneurs Charles Feeney4 and Robert Warren Miller5 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.6

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.7 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.8

Acquisition

In 1996, LVMH acquired the majority share of DFS Group,9 buying out partners Feeney, Parker, and Pilaro and setting a new focus on the combined elements of travel and luxury.10 It developed a merchandising strategy based around five core categories – Beauty and Fragrances; Fashion and Accessories; Watches and Jewelry; Wines and Spirits; and Food and Gifts. In 2004, the company moved its headquarters to Hong Kong from San Francisco, California as part of a corporate restructure.

Reinventing Luxury

In 2009, DFS launched the prestigious “Masters Collection” program, showcasing its passion curation of rare and collector products, as well as immersive experiences, with the first-ever Masters of Time event in Macau.

In 2005, branded halls opened in Okinawa, Japan, launching a new shop-in-shop concept for DFS downtown stores. In 2008, DFS opened its airport store in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, enabling DFS to serve travelers heading from Asia to Europe. DFS opens stores in Macau in the same year.

In 2013 DFS undertook a major branding initiative setting the stage for the next generation of expansion. 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.1112 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 and an extensive assortment of Kids Fashion & Toys.

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. Additionally, DFS announced the opening of its first world-class, seven-star luxury retail and entertainment destination in Sanya, China by 2026.

In 2024, DFS transitioned from T Galleria towards a singular DFS brand identity for its airport and downtown stores. DFS opened DFS Macau, M8 in the revitalized retail cultural destination within the UNESCO Historic Centre of Macao, where the first private label concept brand DISTRICT BY DFS, was launched.

Products By Category

DFS carries five core brand categories:

  • Beauty & Fragrances
  • Fashion & Accessories
  • Watches & Jewelry
  • Wines & Spirits
  • Food & Gifts

Leadership

CEOs

  1. Adrian Bellamy (1983–1995)15
  2. Myron E. Ullman (1995–1998)16
  3. Brian Kendrick (1998–1999)1718
  4. Ed Brennan (1999–2012)19
  5. Philip Schaus (2012–2017)20
  6. Benjamin Vuchot (2020–2024)21
  7. Ed Brennan (2024–)22

Galleria locations

T Galleria by DFS (known as DFS Galleria till 2013) is the branding used on the mid-to-large size DFS stores that are not located in airports. The format of most T Galleria locations is similar to a department store. Beauty stores also operate under the brand in Hong Kong and Macau. As of 2025 the most T Galleria stores are in Macau (5 locations), Hong Kong (2 locations), and New Zealand (2 locations).

Operating

NameCityCountryOpening yearRef.
DFS WaikikiHonolulu United States197523
DFS SydneySydney Australia1989
DFS AucklandAuckland New Zealand1990s
DFS GuamTumon Guam199524
DFS OkinawaOkinawa Japan200425
DFS Studio CityMacau Macau201526
DFS MGM CotaiMacau Macau201827
DFS La SamaritaineParis France20212829
DFS QueenstownQueenstown New Zealand202230
DFS Shoppes at LondonerMacau Macau202231
DFS Shoppes at Four SeasonsMacau Macau
DFS City of DreamsMacau Macau
DFS Canton RoadHong Kong Hong Kong
DFS Tsim Sha Tsui EastHong Kong Hong Kong

Closed

NameCityCountryYear openedYear closed
DFS SaipanSaipan Northern Mariana Islands197632202533
DFS HollywoodLos Angeles United States200334
DFS Gold CoastSurfers Paradise Australia200435
DFS AngkorSiem Reap Cambodia2016362020s
T Fondaco dei TedeschiVenice Italy201637202538
DFS BaliKuta Indonesia2020s
DFS SingaporeSingapore Singapore2020s
DFS CairnsCairns Australia1990s202339

Cancelled

NameCityCountryProjected openingCancelled
DFS Queen's WharfBrisbane Australia202440Lease terminated 2023.41

See also

Notes

References

  1. "DFS Group launches "T Galleria", its new store concept for international travellers". 2013-11-01. Archived from the original on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2016-07-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20160821195234/http://deifont.com/en/2496/dfs-group-lanza-t-galleria-su-nuevo-concepto-de-tienda-para-turistas-internacionales ↩

  2. "Shop DFS – Premium Tax Free". Archived from the original on 2016-10-01. Retrieved 2016-09-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20161001182349/https://premiertaxfree.com/shop-brands/dfs ↩

  3. "History of DFS Group Ltd. – FundingUniverse". www.fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved 2016-07-08. http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/dfs-group-ltd-history/ ↩

  4. Bertoni, Steven. "Chuck Feeney: The Billionaire Who Is Trying To Go Broke". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2016-07-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20180626084856/https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenbertoni/2012/09/18/chuck-feeney-the-billionaire-who-is-trying-to-go-broke/#2fa061e76049 ↩

  5. "Robert Miller Profile | Hong Kong Tatler". Hong Kong Tatler. Retrieved 2016-07-08. https://www.tatlerasia.com/people/robert-miller ↩

  6. "DFS History | Robert Miller | Charles Feeney | DFS Group Ltd". www.dfsgroup.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-29. Retrieved 2016-07-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20160529065356/https://www.dfsgroup.com/en/about-dfs/dfs-history/ ↩

  7. "History of DFS Group Ltd". Retrieved September 16, 2016. http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/74/DFS-Group-Ltd.html ↩

  8. "Philippe Schaus of DFS on Tapping the Growing Travel Retail Market". The Business of Fashion. December 12, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2016. https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/global-currents/philippe-schaus-on-the-evolving-travel-retail-market ↩

  9. Strom, Stephanie (1996-10-30). "LVMH to Buy Duty-Free Empire for $2.47 Billion". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-07-08. https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/30/business/lvmh-to-buy-duty-free-empire-for-2.47-billion.html ↩

  10. Nordheimer, Jon (March 12, 1997). "Millions of Dollars Couldn't Keep DFS Group Together". The New York Times. Retrieved September 16, 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/12/business/millions-of-dollars-couldn-t-keep-dfs-group-together.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 ↩

  11. "LVMH-Owned DFS Group Unveils T Galleria Hong Kong | Jing Daily". 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2016-07-08. https://jingdaily.com/lvmh-owned-dfs-group-unveils-t-galleria-hong-kong/ ↩

  12. "DFS Group launches "T Galleria", its new store concept for international travellers". 2013-11-01. Archived from the original on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2016-07-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20160821195234/http://deifont.com/en/2496/dfs-group-lanza-t-galleria-su-nuevo-concepto-de-tienda-para-turistas-internacionales ↩

  13. "DFS Group goes experiential with beauty". September 18, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2016. http://www.marketing-interactive.com/dfs-group-goes-experiential-with-beauty/ ↩

  14. "City of Dreams and DFS Group Present the Most Unique, Eye-Opening Luxury Retail Experience in Macau". Yahoo Finance. June 24, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2016.[permanent dead link] https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/city-dreams-dfs-group-present-073000341.html ↩

  15. Staff, W. W. D. (1996-02-22). "WILLIAM FLANZ TO LEAVE POST AT GUCCI SUPERVISORY BOARD". WWD. Retrieved 2025-06-15. https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/feature/article-1124219-1774987/ ↩

  16. Staff, W. W. D. (1994-11-17). "MYRON ULLMAN NAMED TO PILOT DUTY-FREE CHAIN". WWD. Retrieved 2025-06-15. https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/article-1167690/ ↩

  17. Roundup, An Interactive Journal News (1998-09-01). "DFS Names Veteran of Saks To Serve as Chief Executive". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2025-06-15. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB904661451693887500 ↩

  18. Staff, W. W. D. (1999-11-08). "E.J. BRENNAN WILL HEAD DFS GROUP". WWD. Retrieved 2025-06-15. https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/article-1075362/ ↩

  19. Moodie, Martin (2012-07-11). "Philippe Schaus to take over from Ed Brennan as DFS Chairman & CEO". The MoodieDavitt Report. Retrieved 2025-06-28. https://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/dfs-group-sephora-names-benjamin-vuchot-chairman-ceo-1234608408/ ↩

  20. Moodie, Martin (2012-07-11). "Philippe Schaus to take over from Ed Brennan as DFS Chairman & CEO". The MoodieDavitt Report. Retrieved 2025-06-28. https://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/dfs-group-sephora-names-benjamin-vuchot-chairman-ceo-1234608408/ ↩

  21. WW, FashionNetwork com (2024-10-14). "DFS: Ed Brennan returns as interim CEO". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 2025-06-15. https://www.fashionnetwork.com/news/Dfs-ed-brennan-returns-as-interim-ceo,1671466.html ↩

  22. Moodie, Martin (2024-10-10). "Ed Brennan returns to DFS Group leadership role to replace Benjamin Vuchot". The MoodieDavitt Report. Retrieved 2025-06-28. https://moodiedavittreport.com/breaking-news-ed-brennan-returns-to-dfs-group-leadership-role-to-replace-benjamin-vuchot/ ↩

  23. "DFS GROUP REAFFIRMS PRESENCE IN WAIKIKI WITH PARTNER BLACKSAND CAPITAL" (PDF). https://www.blacksandcapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/08-22-22-DFS.pdf ↩

  24. Staff, Daily Post (2022-01-29). "DFS celebrates 50 years on Guam by giving to local charities". The Guam Daily Post. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://www.postguam.com/business/local/dfs-celebrates-50-years-on-guam-by-giving-to-local-charities/article_557a613e-7ffa-11ec-9cbe-dfa1e85768cf.html ↩

  25. Moodie, Martin (2004-12-15). "DFS opens Japan's first 'domestic' duty free shop in Okinawa". Moodie Davitt Report. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://moodiedavittreport.com/dfs-opens-japans-first-domestic-duty-free-shop-in-okinawa-15-12-04/ ↩

  26. Holland, Jason (2015-11-09). "Fourth T Galleria by DFS in Macau opens at new Studio City resort". Moodie Davitt Report. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://moodiedavittreport.com/fourth-t-galleria-by-dfs-in-macau-opens-at-new-studio-city-resort/ ↩

  27. Lane, Mark (2018-05-18). "DFS officially opens two new T Galleria stores in Macau". DFNI. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://www.dfnionline.com/latest-news/dfs-officially-opens-two-new-t-galleria-stores-macau-18-05-2018/ ↩

  28. Open under other management from 1870 to 2005 ↩

  29. Hossenally, Rooksana. "Inside La Samaritaine: Paris's Iconic Department Store Reopens After 16 Years". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-06-15. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rooksanahossenally/2021/06/23/inside-la-samaritaine-paris-iconic-department-store-reopens-after-16-years/ ↩

  30. Roxburgh, Tracey (2022-10-31). "New high-end shopping experience opens". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 2025-06-15. https://www.odt.co.nz/business/new-high-end-shopping-experience-opens ↩

  31. "DFS CELEBRATES OPENING OF DFS MACAU, SHOPPES AT LONDONER". DFS: Duty Free Shopping. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://www.dfs.com/en/macau ↩

  32. "Luxury store to close amid Marianas economy worries". RNZ. 2025-02-21. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/542586/luxury-store-to-close-amid-marianas-economy-worries ↩

  33. "Luxury store to close amid Marianas economy worries". RNZ. 2025-02-21. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/542586/luxury-store-to-close-amid-marianas-economy-worries ↩

  34. "DFS Galleria". Visual Merchandising and Store Design. 2003-02-20. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://vmsd.com/dfs-galleria/ ↩

  35. Moodie, Martin (2004-05-24). "All that glitters is gold as DFS opens new luxury boutiques in Surfer's Paradise - 25/05/04". Moodie Davitt Report. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://moodiedavittreport.com/all-that-glitters-is-gold-as-dfs-opens-new-luxury-boutiques-in-surfers-paradise-250504/ ↩

  36. Chen, Dene-Hern (2016-03-22). "DFS Group Opens T Galleria in Cambodia". WWD. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/dfs-group-opens-t-galleria-cambodia-10394990/ ↩

  37. Tatler, Hong Kong. "DFS opens groundbreaking flagship in Venice". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/travel/my-dfs-opens-groundbreaking-flagship-in-venice ↩

  38. designboom, thomai tsimpou I. (2025-05-02). "OMA-designed fondaco dei tedeschi store in venice closes its doors". designboom | architecture & design magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://www.designboom.com/architecture/oma-fondaco-dei-tedeschi-store-venice-doors-dfs-05-02-2025/ ↩

  39. "Luxury retailers closing down". www.cairnslocalnews.com.au. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://www.cairnslocalnews.com.au/luxury-stores-to-close-in-cairns-cbd-2023-05-18 ↩

  40. "Luxury retailers closing down". www.cairnslocalnews.com.au. Retrieved 2025-06-16. https://www.cairnslocalnews.com.au/luxury-stores-to-close-in-cairns-cbd-2023-05-18 ↩

  41. Kruk, Courtney (2024-09-12). "Behind the rift between the Queen's Wharf developer and the retail giant". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2025-06-15. https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/behind-the-rift-between-the-queen-s-wharf-developer-and-the-retail-giant-20240912-p5ka32.html ↩