By region, Asia Pacific saw a strong rebound in the first quarter ending 31 March, with retail sales up 22 per cent.
China returned to growth with a further yearly acceleration towards the end of the quarter supported by easier comparables. The luxury Italian group said it also continued to experience solid growth in Southeast Asia as well.
The opening quarter also witnessed sharp growth in Japan, up 55 per cent, benefitting from the group’s recent investment in the retail network, solid domestic demand, and increasing tourism flows. The retail channel saw continued growth, up 23 per cent, driven by strong like-for-like and full-price sales.
At group level, leather goods grew by 14 per cent at constant exchange rates, driven by both new and iconic lines, while ready-to-wear remained the fastest-growing category, up 38 per cent. Retail sales of footwear also grew strongly, up 20 per cent, with the continued success of both formal and lifestyle collections.
