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This excerpt taken from the LUX 6-K filed Jun 4, 2008. CHAIRMANS LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
Shareholders,
2007 was another year of great satisfaction for our Group, a year in which we were focussed on implementation of our plans on all fronts.
Growth was achieved across the board: results were positive and our market leadership position was further strengthened over the year. Sales topped the five billion mark and we embarked on a new mission with Oakley whilst maintaining excellent levels of profitability at the same time.
Our strategy continued to prove successful, being based on our unique model of integration between production and distribution and direct presence in all the worlds markets, factors which have enabled us to continue building on our well balanced brand portfolio.
2007 was also a year of major investments on both the wholesale and retail fronts. On one hand, we immediately started to integrate with Oakley, so as to see the first results come through in 1st quarter 2008; and on the other, we managed to renew nearly a quarter of our points of sale.
We see the growth in our retail business over the year as very positive also in view of the global economic situation, which gradually worsened due to the contraction in consumer demand in North America and the persistent weakening of the Dollar against the Euro.
Wholesale too continued to grow in 2007, thus endorsing our business model in all major markets and demonstrating the consolidated force of our brand portfolio. The year also saw two splendid debuts: the launch of our first Polo Ralph Lauren collection and Tiffanys first ever appearance on the eyewear market.
We celebrated our first ten years in China, where we started up with the Tristar plant and now have new offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, and around 300 stores, a retail platform we intend to expand in the near future. Like China, all our emerging markets also saw considerable growth, allowing us to predict strong development also in regions whose economies are evolving rapidly and are less dependent on the US Dollar.
Our managerial organization reached new levels of maturity, as it continued to take up business opportunities wherever they occurred and to react rapidly and effectively to every new scenario.
All this is obviously a source of great satisfaction, also in terms of our excellent prospects for growth in 2008.
May 2008
This excerpt taken from the LUX 6-K filed May 25, 2007. CHAIRMANS LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS To our shareholders, 2006 was a record year for Luxottica Group. Excellent results in all key markets contributed to exceptional growth of 30% in the wholesale division. We are also very proud of our retail results, especially in North America, where sales rose nearly 8%. In 2006, consolidated net income increased 30%, which is more than twice the increase in consolidated sales. During the course of the year, we continued to build upon the significant strengthening of our brand portfolio achieved in 2005. With record results by Ray-Ban, new license agreements with global brands Polo Ralph Lauren and Tiffany & Co., and a strong launch of the Burberry line, today the Group has a brand portfolio whose breadth and balance are matched only by the prestige of its brands. On the retail front, we moved ahead with our investment plan to further improve our store network and better position Luxottica Group to take advantage of new growth opportunities. These investments will continue in 2007. We launched the LensCrafters brand in China with the opening of its first flagship store in Beijing and positioned it in this important market as the standard for premier eyecare and a trendsetter for luxury eyewear. 2007 will be another important year for our growth and for the history of the Group. Two of our main brands will celebrate important anniversaries: Persol, the worldwide emblem of «Made in Italy» eyewear and a brand synonymous with elegance, comfort and quality, will turn 90; and Ray-Ban, the worlds best-known and best-selling eyewear brand, will turn 70. These two great brands share a history of quality, excellence and success. Above all, both brands are posting strong contributions to our results and leading the path to future growth. We are a leader in a fast-growing market that is generating new and increasing opportunities for continued strong growth. Eyewear is a key fashion and luxury accessory and has become a growing reflection of an individuals personality. Markets that were only prospects for growth a few years ago are already vibrant and growing. In the more established markets in the West, a major opportunity for growth is tapping into the aging population, particularly Baby Boomers, who demonstrate a propensity to take care of themselves and to frequently indulge in fashion and luxury products. In 2006, we continued to invest time and resources in making our management structure stronger and more globally integrated. We are in the right place at the right time. We are determined to pursue growth opportunities wherever they arise, to push the confines of our market ever outward and to take even better care of our customers. This is why we expect 2007 to be another important year for Luxottica Group - in fact, another record year. May 2007
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