Shay Mitchell is preparing to take Béis further afield. Following Samsonite’s acquisition of an 85% stake for $178.5 million, the actress and entrepreneur is looking towards international expansion, new products and a bigger physical presence for the travel brand she founded in 2018.
The deal, completed on October 1, gives Béis an enterprise value of approximately $210 million and brings it into a portfolio that includes Tumi and American Tourister.
Built around the frustrations of travelling
Long before the acquisition, Mitchell’s starting point was personal. Years of travelling had left the Pretty Little Liars star frustrated by bags that looked appealing but lacked practical features, or offered functionality at the expense of style.
Béis emerged from her search for a middle ground: thoughtfully organised travel essentials that felt fashionable and remained accessible.
That approach has given the brand room to move beyond suitcases. Weekenders, totes and everyday bags reflect a broader understanding of travel — one that includes short breaks, work and the daily journeys between them.
Mitchell keeps her creative role
The acquisition leaves Mitchell closely involved in the business. She retains a 15% ownership stake and continues as founder and head of creative and design, while Adeela Hussain Johnson remains CEO.
Béis will operate as a standalone brand within Samsonite Group, keeping its existing leadership team.
The business generated approximately $210 million in net sales in 2025, with lifestyle bags accounting for around half of sales. For Samsonite, Béis also brings a younger, predominantly female audience and an established digital business.
London, Asia and the next stage of growth
Mitchell and Johnson are looking towards the UK and Asia, with international pop-ups among their ambitions. Permanent stores remain a longer-term goal, rather than an announced opening programme.
Customer feedback will continue to inform product development. Mitchell collects comments and suggestions in a notebook, bringing those observations into design discussions.
Samsonite’s distribution network, sourcing expertise and product development capabilities offer the infrastructure to support that growth. For Mitchell, the opportunity is to bring Béis’s original idea — making movement easier through considered design — to more customers around the world.
