Armani Opens New Airport Stores In Travel Retail Push

By Antonella Ciancio

MILAN May 11 (Reuters Life!) - Giorgio Armani is opening
new stores in top-flight airports from Amsterdam to Miami as it
eyes expansion in the travel retail market, the Italian fashion
house said late on Monday. The doyen of Italian fashion, known for his classically
elegant lines and muted colours in clothes, has more than 500
stores in 46 countries, including more than 35 points of sale in
the travel retail network. After opening three airport stores since March, Armani plans
to launch three new Emporio Armani stores and five Armani Jeans
shop-in-shops by July 2010, it said in a statement. It did not
disclose the amount of the investment. Locations include airports in Italy, Amsterdam, Prague,
Macao, Nice and Miami. "The Armani Group's programme of travel retail openings is
not only well established, but also sets a significant presence
in the world's most important airports, with the support of
strong partnerships with leading retailers," the statement said. Armani, whose luxury empire is worth around $2.4 billion a
year in sales, has diversified into interior design, jewellery,
and perfumes. He has several brands including Armani Junior, Armani Jeans
and Emporio Armani, for which soccer player David Beckham and
his Spice Girl wife Victoria have modelled underwear. The 75-year-old designer opened his first hotel at the
world's tallest tower in Dubai last month and plans a new hotel
in Milan in 2011, as he keeps investors guessing on the future
of his company.
(Reporting by Antonella Ciancio; editing by Andrew Roche)