The Lafuma Group America closed its first half of the fiscal year at the
end of March and is seeing a 35% growth for the 09/10 fiscal year, according to its parent Lafuma Group. Particularly strong performances in the Fall/Winter 10 pre-season selling campaign came from Millet ad Eider.

The Millet brand experienced three-figure growth in orders for
Fall/Winter 10, compared to the Fall/Winter 09 season, and doubled its
dealer network for the Fall/Winter 10 season. The Spring/Summer 10
selling season is also showing very positive trends. “This is Millet’s
fifth selling season in the U.S. under the Lafuma Group, and it’s great
to see the brand take off,” says Todd Johnson, the U.S. Brand Manager
for Millet.

The Millet line, which focuses on products for mountaineering
activities, has been extremely well received by specialty retailers.
Millet will be switching from a great early buy season with the FW10
apparel to gear up for the SS11 pre-selling season and emphasis on their
world renowned packs.  

Eider has just closed their Fall/Winter 10 selling campaign with an
increase of 45% over the Fall/Winter 09 season. Strong sell-through and
efficient deliveries along with improved organization as part of the
Lafuma Group has tremendously supported the growth and development of
the brand in the U.S.  The U.S. team is now working very closely with
the European headquarters to build a Fall/Winter 11 collection even
more tailored to the U.S. market needs.

Killy has seen a slight growth in the U.S. for the Fall/Winter 10. Lafuma said this year’s
main priority has been to stabilize the brand organization after major
changes in the supply chain since Killy became part of the Lafuma Group.
The Fall/Winter 09 season experienced a strong service improvement
preparing the brand to continue strongly and improve for the next
seasons to come. Guillaume Linossier, General Manager of the Lafuma
Group in the USA, sees Killy as an important part of the Lafuma Group’s
future growth in the U.S. market: With strong distribution in the U.S.
in the past, Killy’s focus is to return to prior level of success and
increase its distribution nationwide.