Armani Exchange enters new markets

A|X Armani Exchange is pushing its international expansion into new markets. Today the hip, young brand opens its first store in, in Abu Dhabi , and next month it will open two boutiques in Brazil , in Sao Paolo and in Rio de Janeiro . It will be the brand's first foray into the South American and Middle Eastern markets.

"When we plan to open in new areas, we are always careful to make sure that the Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani brands are established in those particular areas first," Harlan Bratcher, president of A|X Armani Exchange, told WWD. "And now we are definitely in expansion mode, we are even 10 stores ahead of schedule." These openings will bring the total number of stores to 108, a marked growth since the brand was launched in 1991. The company plans to add another 25 stores in the Middle East within the next three years and another 25 in South America and Mexico .

The openings are part of a joint venture between Giorgio Armani SpA and Como Holdings Inc. Armani executives expect the business to almost double annual sales volume to $550 million within the next three years and the brand plans to open another 95 stores worldwide.