Salvatore Ferragamo takes full control of its 4 Asian distribution companies

By

Dominique Muret

Translated by
Nicola Mira

Published
Dec 21, 2016

Salvatore Ferragamo is working to strengthen its presence in Asia. The Italian luxury label has acquired a 100% stake in four joint-venture companies created  in partnership with Trinity Ltd (of the Li & Fung group) that handle Ferragamo distribution in South Korea and South-East Asia, where the fashion label currently operates 70 monobrand stores.

The Florence, Italy label has stated in a press release it has bought the companies’ 20% share still owned by Trinity, via Trinity Luxury Brands Holdings Ltd and Ferrinch (L) Ltd. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.

The deal impacts Ferragamo Korea Ltd, Ferragamo (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Ferragamo (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Ferragamo (Thailand) Ltd, and is part of an agreement signed in 2012, which includes a purchasing option allowing Salvatore Ferragamo to take full control of the joint-venture companies.

At the time, Ferragamo had already increased its stake in the four companies, which amounted to 80%. The economic slow-down in Asia has undoubtedly urged Hong Kong retail giant Li & Fung to sell the remaining stock.

In the last few years, the Asia-Pacific region has become Salvatore Ferragamo's main market, accounting for 35.5% of its global revenue. As of 30th September 2016, the label's sales in the region amounted to €360 million, equivalent to a 0.3% decrease compared to the first nine months of the previous fiscal year.