HONG KONG: Luggage giant Samsonite said on Friday it would buy US luxury bag maker Tumi in a deal worth $1.8 billion that analysts said would give the firm a foothold in the lucrative Chinese high-end market. In a statement to the Hong Kong exchange, where it listed five years ago, Samsonite said it would pay $26.75 a share for the firm — a third more than its value on Wednesday before the likely buyout was sounded. Samsonite, which saw its shares edge up 1.27 per cent to 24 Hong Kong dollars ($3.09) at the close following the announcement, said Tumi was a ‘perfect strategic fit’ for its business.