Lotto Sport Italia S.p.A., a leading Italian company in the production and distribution of sports footwear, clothing and accessories, closes 2007 with total sales of 300 million euro ($411 million) and 8% growth, compared with 2006.
Important in terms of the brands development abroad is the signing of the new licensing agreement with Filon Confecções Ltda in Brazil,where Lotto sponsors four soccer teams in the first division including Sport Recife, champions of the 2008 Brazil Cup.
The company's market is segmented as follows: the Americas 14%; Italy 24%; Europe 40%; Asia Pacific region 16%; Africa 3% and the Middle East 3%.
There has been growth in all product categories: footwear accounts for $176.7 million, a 10% growth compared to 2006, clothing $197.3 million (+6%), and accessories $24.7 million (+21%). As a whole, soccer, five-a-side soccer, tennis and running account for 46%, and the remaining 54% is made up of leisure products.
“2007 has been a year of important changes – declares Tom Elwell, CEO of Etonic Worldwide. “The acquisition of Etonic by Lotto Sport Italia in late 2006 and the change of distribution of the Lotto brand in the US through the operations set up by Etonic will begin to drive positive results in 2008. As far as the Lotto products are concerned, our main focus is to strengthen our position in the US in the performance soccer category.”
“The forecasts are positive for 2008 as well,” states Andrea Tomat, President of Lotto Sport Italia, “However the market conditions will not be particularly encouraging, especially in the second half-year, due to the impact of rising energy costs which will have a negative effect on consumers disposable income. The market has in fact changed and the company has invested in the realization of new lines intended for leisure wear. The acquisition of the American brand Etonic in 2006 is now rewarding us with good results in the running and golf category.”
