Oakley sales rise 11% in first quarter

Press Release:

MILAN, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Luxottica Group S.p.A. (MTA: LUX; NYSE: LUX), a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of fashion, luxury and sports eyewear, met today and approved the consolidated results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IAS/IFRS).

First quarter of 2011(1)

Net sales

1,556.1

+11.8% (+9.2% at constant exchange rates(2))

Wholesale Division

641.1

+15.8% (+13.4% at constant exchange rates (2))

Retail Division

915.0

+9.2% (+6.4% at constant exchange rates (2))

Operating income

207.4

+21.1%

Net income attributable to Luxottica Group stockholders

114.7

+20.6%

Earnings per share

0.25

+20.2%

in US$

0.34

+18.9%

Operating performance for the first quarter of 2011

The results of the first quarter of 2011 have confirmed the encouraging indications seen during the first two months of the year and, more generally, the positive growth trends of both Luxottica Divisions in the geographic areas where the Group operates.

The growth drivers identified by Luxottica for 2011 – further development in emerging markets, the global expansion of Sunglass Hut, growth in the United States and the potential of Oakley – posted extremely positive performances, proving to be particularly effective.

Net sales of the Wholesale Division in emerging markets grew by approximately 28%, with excellent results in India, in the Middle East and in Brazil. Furthermore, and for the fifth consecutive quarter, the results recorded in North America, a key market for Luxottica, were very positive: Group first quarter net sales in U.S. dollars grew by more than 10%, mainly thanks to the excellent performance of the Wholesale Division (+28.1%) and of LensCrafters and Sunglass Hut, whose comparable store sales(3) rose by 7.1% and 10.5%, respectively.

All brands in the Luxottica portfolio posted positive results: in particular, some premium and luxury brands like Burberry, Prada, Ralph Lauren and Tiffany recorded extraordinary performances. Oakley has, in turn, re-confirmed its status as a truly excellent brand, with sales up by 11% during the quarter.

"During the first quarter of 2011, Luxottica recorded strong growth with, perhaps more importantly, a good balance between our Divisions, between the "optical" and "sun" businesses and across all the geographies where the Group operates," commented Andrea Guerra, Chief Executive Officer of Luxottica.

"We were able to continue along the solid, stable growth path in North America, where net sales in U.S. dollars grew by more than 10% in the first quarter of 2011, after having posted a 7.9% increase in full year 2010 when compared to 2009. This means that Luxottica is achieving strong results in a market that is proving to be healthy.

"Our roots in emerging markets grow deeper daily and we are increasingly managing these key markets with the same confidence we enjoy in our more established markets.

"Our brand portfolio is in very good shape: premium and luxury brands posted very positive results, with some brands really outperforming expectations, and both Ray-Ban and Oakley continued to grow at double-digit rates.

"The results obtained in the first quarter are an excellent starting point for 2011: we look to the year optimistically, relying on the one hand on the strength of our brands, and aware on the other hand of the need to continue to impeccably execute our plans."

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