Page 18 - IAADFS Summit 2023 Special Edition

INSIDER

Architect’s drawings of the Calexico store and the new look for HKG stores.

with fragrances a close third. As a point the Caribbean and Latin America and is the category manager. Additionally, Khaledi’s
of difference, HKG manufactures a few authorized agent for Rent to Own. children are stepping into roles within the
tobacco brands, and retails them at very “We find that there is a need to company bringing fresh ideas in marketing,
competitive prices. expand this category in our retail market. finance, and operations.
“Our Tobacco brands, Montana, and Since we have the resources, we can offer “This is the future of our company,”
Pitbull, are high quality and made in the competitive prices. This will distinguish us he says.
U.S.A. Those are our top sellers in that from the competition,” argues Khaledi. “We want to increase our presence on
category,” notes Khaledi. both sides of the southern border, expand
The company’s emphasis on The Future Vision to the northern border, and acquire retail
electronics is another differentiation from Looking ahead, Khaledi recaps space in U.S. airports,” says Khaledi.
other southern border stores. his vision as rebranding the stores and “We are also looking into new
“Televisions are the best-selling item diversifying the assortments to meet private label opportunities and new brand
within the electronics category, but we the consumer’s needs. He has been distribution. I brought in Leo Dotolo, who
want to grow the entire department,” he expanding his management team with such is experienced in all aspects of duty free
says. experienced travel retail specialists as Leo retail to oversee these projects. I have a
In addition to licensed distribution of Dotolo to head up sales and development strong and devoted team that is working
Samsung, LG and Hisense through such and Ricardo Arbelaez, Vice President hard to help HKG reach new heights. I am
channels as Amazon, Walmart, NewEgg of Retail Operations, joining long-time anxious to see what we can accomplish,”
and Vanns, HKG distributes electronics in employees like Amanda Nunez, the beauty he concludes.

Summit of the Americas April 2023 18