DFS Group

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]

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]

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] 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.

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.^[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.

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.

DFS carries five core brand categories:

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

• List of duty-free shops

DFS is located in these regions and here are the links to each country specific website:

• Hong Kong
• Macau
• Okinawa
• Los Angeles
• New York
• San Francisco
• Hawaii
• Guam
• Saipan
• Sydney
• Auckland
• Queenstown
• Samaritaine
• Venice
• Bali
• Singapore
• Abu Dhabi