Prada Buys New York Fifth Avenue Store Building for $425 Million  

 Prada products are seen at their store at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, New York, US, February 15, 2022. (Reuters)
Prada products are seen at their store at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, New York, US, February 15, 2022. (Reuters)
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Prada Buys New York Fifth Avenue Store Building for $425 Million  

 Prada products are seen at their store at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, New York, US, February 15, 2022. (Reuters)
Prada products are seen at their store at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, New York, US, February 15, 2022. (Reuters)

Italian fashion house Prada has paid $425 million to buy the building on Fifth Avenue in New York which currently hosts its store, the company said on Wednesday.

Prada, which has been leasing its five-storey store at 724 Fifth Avenue since 1997, said it had paid the price in cash using internal resources.

"The board believes that the property's location offers high strategic value being characterized by increasing scarcity and long-term potential," Prada said in its statement.

It added that the property, a 12-floor building in total, could also provide office premises and storage for the Hong-Kong listed company, in addition to its retail space.

New York's Fifth Avenue is the world's most expensive retail street, according to a global ranking from real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield.

The wider Americas region has been a weak spot for Prada this year, with retail sales falling by 1.3% during the first nine months, contrasting with double digit growth in the Asia Pacific, Japan and European markets.



Report: L'Oreal in Talks to Buy Migros’ South Korean Cosmetic Unit

The logo of French cosmetics group L'Oreal is seen on a company building in Paris, France, February 7, 2024. (Reuters)
The logo of French cosmetics group L'Oreal is seen on a company building in Paris, France, February 7, 2024. (Reuters)
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Report: L'Oreal in Talks to Buy Migros’ South Korean Cosmetic Unit

The logo of French cosmetics group L'Oreal is seen on a company building in Paris, France, February 7, 2024. (Reuters)
The logo of French cosmetics group L'Oreal is seen on a company building in Paris, France, February 7, 2024. (Reuters)

French cosmetics giant L'Oreal is in final talks to acquire the South Korean skincare business Gowoonsesang Cosmetics owned by Mibelle Group, a unit of Swiss retailer Migros, according to two sources with knowledge of the deal.

An announcement could be made as soon as Monday, one of the people said.

A spokesperson for Migros said it did not comment on market rumors. L'Oreal did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Mibelle acquired its stake in South Korean Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, which sells skin care products under the Dr.G brand, in 2018.

In February, Migros announced a strategic review for Mibelle Group, saying it wanted to find a new owner for the business.

Mibelle produces cosmetics for its own brands, including Dr.G, Imbue., Lee Stafford, and Mine, as well as for other brands, according to its website.

Dr.G is the No. 1 facial care line in the Korean dermocosmetics market, according to the Mibelle website.

Spanish investment bank Alantra was hired as adviser after the strategic review, to look for buyers for the business, one of the sources said.

A spokesperson for Alantra declined to comment.

Mibelle employs 1,615 people in five countries, with revenues of 661 million Swiss francs ($739.04)in 2023, according to its website.