MILAN — Giorgio Armani SpA logged another year of growth in 2015 — a milestone 12 months that marked the 40th anniversary of the namesake designer’s company.
In the period ended Dec. 31, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization inched up 1.2 percent to 513 million euros, or $ 569.4 million, representing 19.4 percent of sales. In 2014, EBITDA totaled 507 million euros, or $674.3 million.
Armani does not reveal net profits until later in the year, when the company publishes its annual report.
Lifted by organic growth in all of the group’s brands and distribution channels, revenues rose 4.5 percent to 2.65 billion euros, or $2.94 billion, compared with 2.53 billion euros, or $3.36 billion, in the previous year.
Wholesale revenues, including licenses, amounted to 4 billion euros, or $4.44 billion, compared with 3.7 billion euros, or $4.92 billion, in 2014.
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“These results are the outcome of an attentive diversification policy for the group’s lines, paired with the coordination of distribution channels and enhancement of the role that our trade partners play,” touted the designer, who is also chairman of the Milan-based company. “This is supported by a creative force and balanced business strategy focused on creating quality and value in the long-term.”
Dollar figures are converted from the euro at average exchange for the period to which they refer.
The group’s brands include Giorgio Armani Privé, Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Collezioni, AJ Armani Jeans, Armani Junior and Armani Casa, in addition to A|X Armani Exchange.
Armani trumpeted the 2015 results as “excellent,” adding they “once again demonstrated my group’s ability to confirm its position as the industry leader and true reference point at a global level.”
Capital investments amounted to 117.5 million euros, or $130.4 million.
As of Dec. 31, Armani liquidity totaled more than 640 million euros, or $710.4 million. In 2014, it amounted to more than 500 million euros, or $665 million.
The company is cash-rich despite its investments in projects such as the Silos exhibition space unveiled last year for which the designer had earmarked 50 million euros, or $55.5 million.
Kicking off Milan’s Expo last year, Armani unveiled the space and museum displaying around 600 of his signature looks, located in a former Nestlé factory, with an event that drew longtime friends of the house Cate Blanchett, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tina Turner, Glenn Close and Lauren Hutton.
Armani, who was named special ambassador of Expo Milano 2015, held a runway show of Privé looks for the occasion. Armani’s autobiography was published by Rizzoli in September and was presented during Milan Fashion Week that month.
At the end of 2015, the group’s distribution network counted 2,983 points of sale, comprised of 165 Giorgio Armani stores, 338 Emporio Armani stores, 754 Armani Collezioni stores, 238 A|X Armani Exchange stores, 880 AJ Armani Jeans stores, 198 Armani Junior stores and 56 Armani/Casa stores in more than 60 countries across the globe.
Among these, 83 Giorgio Armani, 89 Emporio Armani, 82 Armani Collezioni, 108 A|X Armani Exchange, 39 AJ Armani Jeans, 22 Armani Junior and 6 Armani/Casa stores are directly managed.
The company plans to open a new Armani Casa store in Milan’s former De Padova space — a pillar in the history of the city’s design.
The unit, which is in Milan’s central Corso Venezia, will open in the fall. It will cover four floors and more than 14,040 square feet and count 16 windows. This is a relocation from the existing Armani Casa venue in Via Sant’Andrea.
The new location opened temporarily during the city’s international Salone del Mobile in April to present the brand’s new collection for the year.
Armani Casa was launched 15 years ago. Since 2003, the Armani Casa Interior Design Studio has provided complete interior design services to private individuals and property developers.
Among the Armani Casa Interior Design Studio’s most recent projects are the Maçka Residences in Istanbul; The World Towers in Mumbai, India, and the Century Spire in Manila.