Armani Exchange enters new markets

Thursday, 26 October 2006

A|X Armani Exchange is pushing its international expansion into new
markets. Today the hip, young brand opens its first store in, in Abu
Dhabi , and next month it will open two boutiques in Brazil , in Sao
Paolo and in Rio de Janeiro . It will be the brand's first foray into
the South American and Middle Eastern markets.

"When we plan to open in new areas, we are always careful to make sure
that the Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani brands are established in
those particular areas first," Harlan Bratcher, president of A|X Armani
Exchange, told WWD. "And now we are definitely in expansion mode, we are
even 10 stores ahead of schedule." These openings will bring the total
number of stores to 108, a marked growth since the brand was launched in
1991. The company plans to add another 25 stores in the Middle East
within the next three years and another 25 in South America and Mexico .

The openings are part of a joint venture between Giorgio Armani SpA and
Como Holdings Inc. Armani executives expect the business to almost
double annual sales volume to $550 million within the next three years
and the brand plans to open another 95 stores worldwide.