Group profile

Established in 1985, Dolce&Gabbana is one of today’s leading international luxury goods groups. The two founders, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, have always been the creative and stylistic source of the two brands, Dolce&Gabbana and D&G, and the originators of a growth strategy based on balanced development and focus on the core business.

The Group designs, produces and distributes high-end clothing, leather goods, footwear and accessories under the Dolce&Gabbana and D&G brands. Through a series of licensing agreements, it also produces and distributes fragrances and eyewear for the Dolce&Gabbana and D&G brands and timepieces and jewels for the D&G brand.

Over time, these activities have been joined by a series of different initiatives, which have assumed ever-greater importance.

In particular the publications, ranging from the allure of Hollywood to the athletic fascination of the soccer players of the Italian national team; the Metropol, historic cinema in Milan, to day a multipurpose space dedicated not only to the Group fashion shows and events, but also to the social initiatives for the city; the Martini Bar located inside the Boutique on Corso Venezia 15 in Milan and the Martini Bar in Shanghai, inside the Boutique at Bund 6; the Barber Shop, also located in the Dolce&Gabbana Men’s boutique; and Gold: the first Italian concept restaurant, created by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.

Continuous growth over the years has given the Group a solid base, and paved the way for further expansion. In addition to being the sole owner of the two brands, the Group is also wholly responsible for the management and control of the three business divisions: Production, Distribution and Licences.

The Group has direct control over the entire value chain, from creation to sale, for both brands, with the exception of products under licence.

Manufacturing operations are headed by Dolce&Gabbana Industria S.p.A., which operates the two production facilities, in Legnano and Incisa in Val d’Arno.

Development guidelines for the distribution network come from the head offices in Milan: the building in Via Goldoni is the head office for the Dolce&Gabbana brand and headquarters of the Group, and the one in Via Broggi is the head office for the D&G brand.

The directly operated stores in Italy are controlled by a company of the Group set up to control the retail channel, and the rest of Europe by local companies which report to Dolce&Gabbana S.r.l.

The monitoring of the remaining foreign markets is carried out by the subsidiaries in New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong which are entirely controlled by Dolce&Gabbana S.r.l., and co-ordinate the management of the retail and wholesale distribution in their respective territorial areas. With specific reference to the Chinese market, the Hong Kong branch operates directly in that territory through local structures in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Taipei. In order to defend the distribution of D&G lines in the European market, showrooms have been opened in London, Paris, Barcelona and Düsseldorf.

Results

For the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2008, the Group’s consolidated revenues have increased by 21% reaching €1,266.6 million. Wholesale revenues reached €1,652.1 million, 55% for the Dolce&Gabbana brand and 45% for D&G.                                             

Additionally, as of 31 January 2009 the Group has an overall workforce of 3,828 units and a distribution network comprising 116 (108 as of  31 march 2008) directly operated stores and 17 factory outlets.