Margin of manoeuvreYet these are not so disturbingThe recession has put an end to this state of affairsNew York the Dow Jones completed the month at 9Little by little the city is specific argues its DirectorOr is someone authorized to the franchisorObjective enact standards for January 1 2010But this suggestion is far from making unanimity in the professionBut they are this time clearly tinted greenYet in private experts are much less reserved on their doubtsThe risk the facetoface with a dead leafAfter the opening of a third store in China, on the Bund in Shanghai, & Dolce Gabbana intensifies its presence in Asia. Booming, the Italian luxury label is to establish a headquarters in Hong Kong, with showroom and press offices, intended to serve the Asian area.
Created twenty years ago by the Sicilian Domenico Dolce and Milanese Stefano Gabbana, the company also wants to pursue the opening of sales outlets in Asia, where its presence is strong to the Japan. It has in this countries 33 direct stores, compared with 20 in Italy, 11 in the rest of Europe, 14 in the United States and 2 only in the rest of Asia. To add stores of distributors, including 25 in Asia, to 36 in Europe and 32 in the United States.
This will better take advantage of the growth of Asia should benefit both the original claw Dolce & Gabbana to D & G, the "young" brand, that society has to fully resume in hand. Launched in 1994, D & G was in effect until last year given license to Italian IT Holding. This device has long proved "a very good thing, as it enabled it to D & G to develop, while we have focused on the Dolce & Gabbana line", commented Cristiana Ruella, Executive Director of the group.
But today the Milanese company wants to regain the initiative. It leaves under licence as sunglasses and perfumes, for which it considers does not have the necessary technical expertise.
D & G distinguished House by its prize products: on average 72 euros in price, against 155 euros for Dolce & Gabbana. In addition, while Dolce Gabbana & is fully implemented in Italy, D & G articles are currently produced 70 out of the peninsula, especially in the Maghreb, Turkey and Romania, Serbia and Slovenia. But "from spring-summer 2007, the collection will be entirely manufactured in our factories or abroad under our control, and distributed by our care," said Cristiana Ruella.
The resumption of the activity licensed represents a major investment for the company, which had double the surface of production from its plant in Legnano (textile) and extend Incisa in Val D'arno (leather), recruiting over 400 people to ensure this new activity. At the same time, D & G was equipped with a specific in Milan, via Broggi seat: a building of glass also light that Dolce Gabbana &, via Goldoni, is sophisticated and black and white. It is home to the showroom and the young brand press offices.
"We do not established objectives for the moment for this brand, says Cristiana Ruella. We we give two seasons, is a year to work as a priority on quality and logistics. After that, we will make a development plan. "To be more reactive to D & G, as it should for the young apparel, five new distribution centers will thus be created in Europe, to Rome, London, Paris, Barcelona and Düsseldorf. An investment of EUR 10 million. Total resumption of D & G will lead the group to pay nearly EUR 40 million for the only industrial investment, beyond the cost of the new headquarters (37.9 million) and the communication.
Management expects now D & G growth in double digits. For all of the group, net sales increased by 18 in 2005-2006, EUR 809,5 million for the year to March 31, 2006. In the net result, it increased by 11, to EUR 108,8 million.
