Armani Group takes direct control of UK operations

Luxury Italian fashion house The Armani Group has announced that it will take direct control of its UK retail and wholesale operations across all of its brands, with the exception of A|X Armani Exchange. The group has decided to part

ways with its long-term retail partner Club 21, who has been managing its brands including Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and AJ Armani Jeans in the UK, with immediate effect in order to streamline its operations and improve its efficiency in the retail sector.

Giorgio Armani, President and CEO of the Armani Group, said: “We have enjoyed a great working relationship with Club21 for over two decades, and I am truly grateful for their great contribution to establishing the Armani business so successfully in the UK during that time.

“However, it is now time that a global brand like Armani runs its own interests in a market as significant as this one. We have great plans for the UK and we look forward to a new era for Armani there.”

Christina Ong, founder of Club 21, added: “We are grateful to the Armani Group for having given us the opportunity to develop the business over the last 23 years. We are confident that with the global strength of the Armani Group, the UK operations will move on to achieve even greater success.”

Club 21 was established in 1972 in Singapore as a luxury retail company and it currently operates multi-label fashion stores as well as licensed boutiques for the likes of Donna Karan, Balenciaga, Marni, Mulberry, Jil Sander, and Dries Van Noten. The statement also added that Club 21 will also continue to operate A|X Armani Exchange, which is a separate business run out of New York.

Image: Giorgio Armani Womenswear Collection for Spring/Summer 2013