In conjunction with the announcement of its preliminary results for 2001, the Armani Group also announced several immediate initiatives for 2002 as part of its ongoing growth strategy:
Agreement for the acquisition of Miss Deanna S.p.A
Giorgio Armani S.p.A. has entered into an agreement with Miss Deanna S.p.A., the highly respected Reggio Emilia-based knitwear manufacturer, whereby the Armani Group will have the right to acquire the company at the beginning of May 2002, with production on Armani collections commencing for the Spring / Summer 2003 season.
Launch of Emporio Armani Jewellery collection
Giorgio Armani S.p.A. has signed a letter of intent with Fossil, Inc., the existing licensee for Emporio Armani Watches, for the worldwide licence to manufacture and distribute the Emporio Armani Jewellery commencing with the Autumn / Winter 2002 season.
Armani Casa expansion programme
Following the opening of six Armani Casa dedicated stores in strategically important cities around the world in 2001, from Spring / Summer 2002 Armani Casa soft home products will be distributed for the first time in select specialty and high end department stores and in North America from Autumn / Winter 2002. In addition, during 2002 the Armani Group expects to open a further 20 Armani Casa locations within specialist home furnishing showrooms around the world.
Exclusive retail network expansion to continue
The Armani Group will continue with its proactive programme to expand its exclusive retail network in key cities around the world, including the opening of three flagship Armani Collezioni stores (Milan, via Montenapoleone; Paris, Avenue George V; Frankfurt, Goethestrasse) this Spring and an integrated multi-brand Armani store in Hong Kong (Chater Road) this Autumn.
Launch of new Giorgio Armani men’s fragrance and Giorgio Armani Cosmetics roll-out
The Giorgio Armani Parfums division will launch a new Giorgio Armani prestige men’s fragrance, called Armani Mania, in Europe and Asia in Spring 2002. The new Giorgio Armani Cosmetics product line, now available at ten exclusive points of sale worldwide, will also be rolled out into further new markets in 2002, including Japan.
The Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and design groups in the world today. It designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion products, including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, home products, fragrances and cosmetics under a range of lifestyle brand names: Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Mani, Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans, A/X Armani Exchange, Armani Junior and Armani Casa. The Group’s exclusive retail network currently comprises 52 Giorgio Armani boutiques, 1 Giorgio Armani Accessories store, 8 Armani Collezioni stores, 117 Emporio Armani stores, 63 A/X Armani Exchange stores, 7 Armani Jeans stores, 3 Armani Junior stores and 6 Armani Casa stores in 34 countries.
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Contact: Robert Triefus
Armani Group
(39) 02 / 723181
