With rising affluence, the major Asian economies like China, India and Russia have emerged as the fastest growing market for high-end fashion and luxury goods. These emerging markets are likely to provide immense growth opportunities for Italian fashion companies.

The Italian fashion and luxury companies, many of which are owned by the founding designers are increasingly being overshadowed by French conglomerates LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, which has gobbled up many luxury brands, and PPR, which owns Gucci. So, in order to compete with the French luxury companies and also to expand in the emerging markets, many Italian family-run luxury companies are going for stock market floatation.

Going public will help the Italian companies to get the cash that is required for expansion and also to use it for acquisition. The companies that could go for public listing in the near future include Giorgio Armani, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli and Salvatore Ferragamo.

Meanwhile, the leading Italian fashion and luxury companies like Mariella Burani Fashion Group, Benetton Group, Luxottica, Bulgari, Safilo, Tod’s and Geox are implementing strategies that are aimed at generating top-level growth and profitability by expanding in emerging markets and controlling the distribution channels.

The report is a study on the Italian fashion and luxury industry including its segments like fashion apparel, jewellery and watches and eyewear. The report analyzes the performance of the leading Italian fashion companies in the global markets. The report also assesses the major trends of the industry and factors that could further drive the growth of fashion companies. It studies the business strategies, the geographical mix and distribution strategies of the leading Italian fashion and luxury companies.

1. Global Fashion and Luxury Goods Market

1.1 Growth of global fashion goods market
1.2 Growth of luxury sector versus global GDP growth
1.3 Leading global fashion and luxury companies

2. Italian Fashion and Luxury Goods Market

2.1 Italian Fashion Market: Size and Growth
2.2 Italian Fashion Market Segments

2.2.1 Fashion Apparel Market
2.2.2 Jewellery and Watches Market
2.2.3 Eyewear Market - Prescription Frames and Sunglasses

2.3. Sales of Italian Fashion Goods in Global Markets

3. Market Trends

Changing attitude of Chinese consumers towards luxury goods
Manufacturing in low-cost labour countries
Stock market flotation

4. Growth Drivers

Accessories to drive global luxury market
China holds immense business opportunities for fashion companies
Growth in international travel
Europe – major market for regional companies

5. Leading Italian Fashion Companies: Performance and Strategies

5.1 Mariella Burani Fashion Group (MBFG)

Company Profile
Business strategies

5.2 Benetton

Company Profile
Business strategies

5.3 Bulgari

Company Profile
Business strategies

5.4 Luxottica

Company Profile
Business strategies

5.5 Geox

Company Profile
Business strategies

5.6 Safilo Group

Company Profile
Business strategies

5.7 Tod's

Company Profile
Business Strategies

5.8 Valentino Fashion Group

Company Profile
Business strategies

6. Leading Italian Fashion Companies: Distribution Channels and Geographical Mix
6.1 Geographical mix of top Italian fashion companies
6.2 Distribution channel mix of top Italian fashion companies

Tables

Table 1.1 Top global fashion and luxury companies
Table 4.1: Percentage Sales Breakdown by Region
Table 5.1: Bulgari’s distribution channels

Figures

Figure 1.1: Global Luxury Goods Market Size: 2002-2006
Figure 1.2: Global Luxury and Fashion Market by Geography: 2006
Figure 1.3: Luxury Sales Growth (%) Vs Global GDP Growth (%)
Figure 2.1: Distribution channels of Italian Retail Clothing Market
Figure 2.2: High-end eye glass market in the US by price
Figure 6.1: Geographical mix of top Italian fashion companies
Figure 6.2: Distribution channel mix of top Italian fashion companies