USA. Ross Khaledi, the founder and CEO of US land border duty free store retailer HKG Duty Free, has bought back 100% control of the company, effective 6 December.
The HK Group, based in Doral, Florida, was founded by the Khaledi family in 1977. In 1998, HKG Duty Free was formed to service US Southern Border customers crossing daily into Mexico. In 2009, the flagship El Portal HKG Duty Free store was opened in Laredo, one of the largest land border crossings in the US, processing over 15 million people each year.
HKG Duty Free has expanded since, operating 11 stores along the US Southern Border: three in California, one in Arizona, and seven in Texas.
HKG Duty Free specialises in consumer technology, but also offers a diverse fashion brand portfolio including Montblanc, Fossil, Michael Kors, A/X Armani Exchange, Diesel, DKNY, Adidas, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Casio, and Lacoste. Additionally the stores feature a wide range of fragrances, cosmetics, liquor and tobacco.
HKG recently acquired two stores in Belize offering similar brands and categories to customers crossing into Mexico. The company said that it will soon open a store in Queretaro International Airport, Mexico.
“I am thrilled to take HKG to the next level and see what the future holds for my team and me,” Khaledi said in a social media post.
