Manfreda leaves Stefanel to develop Sasch store network
Ziarul Financiar
15.11.2009
Lucio Manfreda, who had run the domestic operations of
Stefanel apparel retailer for eight years, left the position of
chairman at the company to develop Sasch, a new Italian apparel
brand on the Romanian market. The plan laid out by Via Firenze
Trandy, Sasch exclusive distributor in Romania, whose majority
shareholder is the parent company of the brand, entails the opening
of 15 stores countrywide in three years, more stores than Stefanel
has opened in its eighteen years on the Romanian market. Sasch
products, competing with Zara and Mango, target medium-income
clients and will generate 1.2m-euro turnover in the first year in
Plaza Romania. The first store, opened in Plaza Romania, takes up
250 square metres area and required a 650,000-euro investment.
"The
next store, which will be opened in Bucuresti Mall, will have 300
square metres and will generate sales of around 1.5m euros in the
first year. An upbeat scenario shows the around 1.3m-euro
investment in the two stores will be recouped in three years.
According to a downbeat scenario, we'll break even in five years,"
states Manfreda. "We plan to open four stores per year, two in each
season, so that we may reach 15 in three years," says the company's
managing director.