DFS Group has been selected by the Airport Authority Hong Kong to manage the three anchor license concessions at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA): liquor and tobacco, perfumes and cosmetics and airside general merchandise.

The license runs from 2012 through to 2017 and was awarded through an open tender process.

“Since DFS Group began operations in Hong Kong’s airport more than 50 years ago, we truly feel we are coming home. In addition, the three concessions give us the opportunity to provide the seamless, award-winning customer service, for which DFS is best known,” said Michael Schriver, DFS Group president of store operations and business development.

“It is our responsibility to provide the best service and environment to HKIA. We also are aware that incumbent concessions employ many experienced people at HKIA and we will do our very best to retain as many of these highly valued individuals as possible,” commented Benjamin Vuchot, DFS MD for Asia North.

Vuchot said the company has already reached out to the incumbent concessionaires to ensure the smoothest possible transition, especially respecting the needs of the employees.

DFS currently operates 10 concessions at HKIA, including luxury watch store in the West Hall. The company also operates two luxury stores in Kowloon’s shopping district: the 115,000 sqft DFS Galleria Sun Plaza on Canton Road, and the 146,000 sqft DFS Galleria Chinachem in Tsim Sha Tsui.

In August 2012, DFS Group will open its first store on Hong Kong Island, in the heart of Causeway Bay.

DFS Group is majority owned by LVMH and minority owned by companies associated with Robert Miller, one of the founders of DFS and a long-time resident of Hong Kong.

DFS Group’s worldwide headquarters are in Central, Hong Kong. The company employs more than 7000 people in 14 downtown Galleria stores and more than 200 airport stores around the world, predominantly in the Asia-Pacific region.

GB