Fashion, as we know, suffers little from the crisis. And the data of Prada group I am the last confirmation. The Tuscan maison has closed the first half of 2012 with revenues of 1,54 billion euros: this is an increase of 36,5% compared to the same period of 2011. The retail channel, on which the Group's strategy is focused, contributed 80,6% to consolidated sales with 1,23 billion euro: 47,2% more than in the first half of 2011.
The trend in wholesale sales was also positive: +4,8% on a quarterly basis. Revenue growth in directly operated stores was up 19%. A note from the Group specifies that the development of the activity was mainly driven by the Prada and Miu Miu brands whose value grew respectively by 40,5% and 23,6%.
During the semester Prada was able to expand its retail network by opening 28 new stores: at the end of July there were 414 DOS (Directly Operated Stores) of which 263 Prada, 102 Miu Miu, 43 Church's and 6 Car Shoe. In geographical terms, all areas contributed to the group's sales growth: in Italy the growth was 21,7%, in Europe 37,3%, in the area that includes Asia and the Pacific +45%, in the USA +31% and in Japan +34,2%.
THECEO of Prada, Patrizio Bertelli, “he expressed his satisfaction with these results“, indicates a note from the Group, “achieved in a particularly difficult economic context, where, however, the market continues to reward Prada's constant commitment to style and the pursuit of quality”.
The Tuscan house, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, closed today's session gaining 2,48%. In Europe, the luxury sector is positively affected by Prada's good half-year report.
