Benetton closes 2017 with €180 million loss, recovery expected in 2019

Italian fashion group Benetton closed the 2017 financial year with a record €180 million loss, after the necessary provisions. The first effects of the new strategy under founder Luciano Benetton, who is back in charge again, are expected for 2019.

This was the opinion expressed in an interview to Italian daily Il Gazzettino on June 17 - and later confirmed by a spokesperson - by Fabio Cerchiai and Marco Patuano, respectively the President and CEO of Edizione, the Benetton family holding company which, besides controlling the Benetton group, also holds stakes in Atlantia and Autogrill. 

“We closed [the financial year] with a loss of €180 million, the largest ever,” said Patuano, adding that Edizione decided to invest again in Benetton with a share capital increase worth €100 million, while “Luciano [Benetton] has agreed to personally lead a come-back, providing a modern interpretation of Benetton’s roots.” “We are already seeing some improvements,” but “the effects will be visible from the Spring/Summer 2019,” said Patuano. 

As for Italian insurance group Assicurazioni Generali, asked whether Edizione, currently a shareholder, is considering a different role, Patuano and Cerchiai said they are highly interested in Assicurazioni Generali’s new industrial plan, due to be presented in November. “We are happy as things stand today; as for the future, we aren’t ruling anything out,” they said. In recent months, Edizione increased its stake in Assicurazioni Generali from 1% to 3%, investing a further €700 million.