Samsonite International S.A. said its shareholders have approved its plan to buy luggage maker Tumi Holdings Inc, as the world's biggest luggage group expands in the luxury market, and the $1.8 billion deal was expected to be completed in early August.

The announcement came weeks after New Jersey-based Tumi said its shareholders had backed Samsonite's planned acquisition of the company.

"By approving the transaction, they have helped to put Samsonite in a strong position to achieve its goal of becoming the leading global travel lifestyle company," Samsonite chief executive officer Ramesh Tainwala said in a statement late on Tuesday.

Samsonite said in March that it would buy Tumi for $26.75 per share in an all-cash transaction valuing Tumi at $1.8 billion. The Hong Kong-listed planned to expand Tumi's presence in Asia and Europe, while strengthening its business in North America.