Poland's Largest Fashion Retailer LPP Optimistic on Third-quarter Sales

People walk outside a Polish fashion retailer LPP brand Reserved shop in Warsaw, Poland, September 4, 2020. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
People walk outside a Polish fashion retailer LPP brand Reserved shop in Warsaw, Poland, September 4, 2020. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Poland's Largest Fashion Retailer LPP Optimistic on Third-quarter Sales

People walk outside a Polish fashion retailer LPP brand Reserved shop in Warsaw, Poland, September 4, 2020. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
People walk outside a Polish fashion retailer LPP brand Reserved shop in Warsaw, Poland, September 4, 2020. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Poland's largest fashion retailer LPP said its revenue could increase by more than 20% year-on-year in the third quarter, in an upbeat outlook that coincided with unexpectedly weak official data on the country's retail sales.

Polish retail sales fell 3.0% year on year in September, statistics office data showed on Tuesday, which analysts attributed to slowing real income growth and last month's floods knocking consumer optimism, Reuters reported.

"Yesterday's data was actually a bit surprising... because what we see in August, September and also after most of October is in a completely different direction," LPP Financial Director Marcin Bojko told journalists.

LPP's third quarter runs from August to October.

Bojko said the company was also optimistic about the fourth quarter.

LPP's shares were up 1.8% at 1431 GMT.

In September, LPP confirmed its full-year revenue target of 20-21 billion zlotys.



Italian Shoemaker Geox to Invest $125 Million in 5-year Plan

FILE PHOTO: Geox shoes are seen in a shop in Rome, Italy, April 10, 2016. REUTERS/Max Rossi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Geox shoes are seen in a shop in Rome, Italy, April 10, 2016. REUTERS/Max Rossi/File Photo
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Italian Shoemaker Geox to Invest $125 Million in 5-year Plan

FILE PHOTO: Geox shoes are seen in a shop in Rome, Italy, April 10, 2016. REUTERS/Max Rossi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Geox shoes are seen in a shop in Rome, Italy, April 10, 2016. REUTERS/Max Rossi/File Photo

Italian shoemaker Geox plans to invest about 120 million euros ($125 million) as part of an industrial plan to 2029 and has signed a five-year deal with a leading Chinese operator to expand its presence in the country.

The maker of breathable, waterproof footwear said in November it would end direct operations in the unprofitable Chinese and US markets after posting a 9.7% yearly drop in nine-month revenue globally, Reuters reported. It said it would continue its business in the two countries through local partnerships.

In addition to the investments, announced in a statement late on Monday, the group said it would extend by 24 months the medium- to long-term debt repayment plans as part of a debt refinancing agreement with creditor banks including Monte dei Paschi and the Italian units of BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole.
Geox controlling shareholder LIR, the family holding of its chairman and founder Mario Moretti Polegato, will contribute up to 60 million euros to the industrial plan, the statement said.
The shoemaker expects yearly revenues above 850 million euros by 2029, compared with 720 million in 2023, with compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% in the next five years, and an EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) margin over 7% by 2029.