De Rigo: 30% of billings in Us within two years

In an interview with the daily newspaper, Milano Finanza Fashion, Michele Aracri, chief executive of the De Rigo group, illustrated the company's Us strategies, which aim at increasing its share of billings from the Usa within the next two years, passing from the current 5 to 30%.

'At the moment we have contacts underway for growth on the wholesale front and for developing the license side', Aracri explained. 'At distribution level, we have some contacts that we will be developing in the coming months. As far as brands are concerned, we're in touch with some international names. We no longer want to work in very niche areas that are anchored to a single market.'

Aracri then talked about the new collections: 'We have given the go ahead for a close collaboration with the Miroglio group for Caractère and Elena Mirò eyewear. It will be presented in their stores next year. We are very confident about the results we can achieve. And if the sell out is ok, we will start talking about a license contract. We're doing the same thing with the Brazilian fashion house, Victor Hugo'.

In the meantime, De Rigo is launching new products for the Police brand (whose eyewear today represents 30% of billings): first, a perfume for women produced in tandem with Mavive. 'The project will be developed between the end of this year and the beginning of 2004', Aracri again explained, 'the Police naked line will be presented within 2003, followed by the women's perfume, Eyes, which will debut in perfume stores in February 2004'.

The second step will be the launch of a collection of watches, on sale from January, thanks to which a turnover of 40 million euros is forecast for the first 5 years, and for the first quarter of 2004, the debut of footwear thanks to a license with an Italian company.