Luxury market analysts predict that Brasil, India and China will be the only three luxury markets to grown in 2009, in contrast with Japan and Russia which register dramatic sales drops, up to 6-9%. Brasils growth is estimate at 1,5%, while India and China will grown by 6 to 7 % in 2009. We at CPP, believe Serbia, Czech Republic and Romania will be the only Central and Eastern European luxury markets to recover ... read more

Following an enquiry at Athenee Palace Hilton in Bucharest, MINISTRY OF TOURISM has discovered a series of major legal breaches. The hotel which is managed by Hilton is currently majority owned by Ana Hotels of Romanian businessman George Copos. The entire operation of the hotel has recently been shifted to a new a new private entity without notification of authorities. The second issue which has prompted ... read more

Italian designer foundation Ken Scott sued Dolce Gabbana for 11 copies of its designs, which were featured in the D&G line. The court has initially ordered damages of EUR 80.000 and now the trial seems to enter a different stage. This follows just weeks after Dolce Gabbana was sued by Italian state fiscal authorities for an embezzelment of EUR 800 million. ... read more

The recently confirmed transfer of KAKA from Milan to Real Madrid has sparked a wave of controversy over the financial settlement, estimated at EUR 96 million. Surprisingly, Real officials admitted they were forced to make this transfer mostly for marketing purposes, a player such as KAKA would likely be able to revive branded and co-branded merchandise.

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The summer edition of ARTMARKs art auction event which will take place on June 25th at JW Marriott in Bucharest is likely to attract not only weathy collectors and wealthy art lovers but also a state authority, the Ministry of Culture. The ministry is seeking to buy back a famous painting which is part of Romanias cultural patrimony. The works that will go on auction are signed by famous Romanian painters ... read more

Crisis at Italian luxury fashion & accessories producer ITTIERRE (IT Holding) has been deteriorating at a very fast pace. The holding which filed for bankruptcy protection in March this year indirectly harms VERSACE and ROBERTO CAVALLI, failing to pay the royalties for the Versace Jeans Couture, Versus and Just Cavalli lines which produces under licence from the 2 Italian fashion companies. ... read more

Hermes International CEO announced improved sales results for April and May this year and show confidence of slight increases in 2009. To overcome crisis effects, HERMES have cut by EUR 20 million the investments budget for 2009. Patrick Thomas also warned that, overall, luxury markets will remain weak for the next 2 years. This is one of the reasons for Hermes to concentrate on 2 directions: increase ... read more

During the recent Luxury Summit organized by REUTERS, executives of major luxury fashion and accessories retailers confirm unanimously a drop of 45% in sales in DUBAI for the first 4 months of this year. A slow recovery process in anticipated by the end of 2009, yet increases of 20 % to 30% will not be seen as in the previous 3 years. ... read more

RTC Holding through its Rafar division continues to take the Romanian luxury market by surprise. We have learned by business daily BUSINESS STANDARD that the company plans to invest over EUR 1 million in a multibrand of 100 sqm within the JW Marriott Shopping Gallery to include BALLY, FERRAGAMO, FRANCO FERRE, FRATELLI ROSETTI etc. It seems more of an outlet created from the already closed Bally monobrand ... read more

In the course of June 2009, CPP Management Consultants LLC runs an extensive poll on business communities portals regarding TOP LUXURY BRANDS in Eastern Europe. We would appreciate everyones feedback and vote on LinkedIN ... read more

Prestigious Romanian works of art evaluated at EUR 5 to 7 million go on auction at the upcoming event of ARTMARK, on June 25th 2009 at the JW MARRIOTT Hotel in Bucharest. Artmark, a relatively young auction house aims at revolutionising the local art market and bring it to international standards. For each event, Artmark produces an exquisit catalogue with all the art work which goes on sale ... read more

PRADA group, owned by Miuccia Prada and her husband Patrizio Bertelli is seeking urgent solutions for its EUR 1,2 billion lines of financing. A group lead by Intensa Bank is currently looking at ways to reduce debt. At the moment the entire cash flow of Prada goes to the banks. Prada opened 34 new directly operated stores in 2009 so far and has scheduled other openings. We believe Pradas strategy to open ... read more

Trei dintre cele mai importante marci de lux italiene din domeniul modei, ZILLI, ROBERTO CAVALLI si SALVATORE FERRAGAMO au anuntat saptamana aceasta vesti bune in ceea ce priveste iesirea lor din criza. Astfel, ZILLI estimeaza cresterea vanzarilor pentru a doua jumatate a 2009 cu pana la 5%, in timp ce CAVALLI a anuntat vanzarea a 30% din companie catre fondul de investitii italian Clessidra. FERRAGAMO a ... read more

The alleged sale of a EUR 80.000 Daniel Roth watch by Romanian luxury watches and jewelry distributor HELVETANSA is likely to be just a publicity tool for the opening of the its new location in downtown Bucharest on Calea Victoriei. This has become newsworthy as the sale occured during crisis, therefore emphasizing Helvetansas exceptional business strategy.

We, at CPP, believe the new location ... read more

The first luxury real-estate listings have become available on the cpp website.

CPP anticipates our clients’ needs by launching a specialized luxury real-estate database. We are also targeting those who are already doing business in the luxury industry but are on the lookout for the right location.

The real-estate part is very important for any business plan in the luxury ... read more

After having closed early this year in Bucharest, HUGO BOSS signed a franchise agreement for Romania with a new partner, jointly Romanian/Italian ownership. The first Boss store was opened this Spring in the seaside town of Constanta. The new Boss store will open March 2010, also on Calea Victoriei but in a different location and section.

HUGO BOSS had been present in Romania through a franchise ... read more

LOUIS VUITTON continues to fight counterfeiting with a series of innovations such as the latest personal branding of certain items. In less than 4 weeks, customers can pesonalize LV bags with their name or initials, the service being offered by certain stores worldwide. The service has been made possible with the help of digital technology which imprints LV leathers. ... read more

The quiet daytime robbery of the CHOPARD Vendome store in Paris has sparked a lot of controversy among the luxury business community, especially considering the circumstances and also the announced value of stolen goods of EUR 8 million. It is not only the value, timing and manner but also the security breach of which insurance companies are so attentive with. The 8 million value is a huge contrast to ... read more

According to a study of the hotel market in Central and Eastern European capitals by commercial properties firm CB Richard Ellis, hotels have been under enormous pressure since summer 2008. Both the occupancy rate and the average daily rate (ADR) fell in the first quarter of 2009.

Occupancy rates in Bratislava, Budapest and Prague fell by more than 20% yr-on-yr (Bratislava -25.8%, Budapest ... read more

Businessmen from the Bulgarian Black Sea city of Burgas have started to give up their yachts as they are unable to finance the monthly payments for their recent luxury purchases.

This trend caused by the effects of the global financial and economic crisis is most likely going to lead to the bankruptcy of Bulgarian yacht selling companies as they will also be unable to finance their debts.

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