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Italian premium apparel brand, GAS, opens its new retail concept flagship store in Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay today (February 8).
The move reinforces GAS's Asian commercial strategy to focus on developing the China market through the Hong Kong Branch office that oversees sales in the Far East area.
The new concept store forms part of a chain of single brand stores located in major cities around the world. This distribution channel works along side the current wholesale network to highlight the range, while strengthening the brand image and objectives.
The President and CEO of GAS, Mr Claudio Grotto, confirmed the importance of the GAS brand presence in China. "Over the last 15 years, Hong Kong has been our often narrow doorway to the Far East. Today it is fast becoming a connecting bridge between East and West," said Mr Grotto.
He pointed out that up-to-date fashion items, high quality fabrics and extensive production facilities are behind the growing success of Grotto S.p.A. The company designs, manufactures, distributes and licenses GAS brand clothing, footwear and accessories internationally.
"GAS will continue its success based on strong values, a distinct identity, a forward looking entrepreneurial spirit and the constant observation of young people and their world. We are confident that with our new establishment in Hong Kong, we will be able to reach out to our target customers in the region," said Mr Grotto.
The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mark Michelson, said, "Hong Kong has long been seen as a 'shopping paradise' for local consumers and tourists alike. Consumers and visitors here are very fashion conscious and receptive to new brands and products. I am confident that an innovative international fashion brand like GAS will find exciting business opportunities in this vibrant retail market."
"We are particularly pleased that GAS plans to use Hong Kong as a base for its expansion to the Mainland and the rest of Asia. This demonstrates the company's strong confidence in this regional retail market and its future prospects," said Mr Michelson.
GAS is a leading Italian premium apparel brand owned by Grotto S.p.A and promoted by the Grotto family. The founder, Mr Claudio Grotto, started his business in fashion in the early 1970s. In 1986, the company was incorporated as Grotto S.p.A. and, beginning in 1990, began a new phase: the launch of the GAS brand and the first GAS collection. The brand has 3,000 points of sale in 56 countries. It is supported by six branches in Europe, one each in Japan and now Hong Kong and the new GAS Clothing India. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.gasjeans.it.
Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish or expand a business presence here. For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Thursday, February 8, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:07
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