Corneliani (Mantua, Italy) has announced the opening of four new stores in China over the next few weeks, which will bring its total number of retail units in the country to 17. The upscale Italian men's retailer's 10 new stores this year are part of an expansion strategy that mirrors those of other Italian luxury brands, according to Women’s Wear Daily.
Mainland China’s luxury market has risen 30 percent in 2010 to $12.8 billion and is expected in five years to be the world’s third-largest luxury market. Greater China, including Hong Kong, already ranks number three, showing 23 percent growth in 2010, according to WWD.
Corneliani in 2008 opened an office in Shanghai to explore options in China. Finance Director Maurizio Corneliani told WWD that there are an increasing number of Chinese luxury customers fascinated by products made in Italy.
The Corneliani stores are operated by several franchises, each responsible for its own specific area of the country, and each is modeled after the brand’s flagship on Via Montenapoleone. They will feature Tanganyika wood, several shades of leather, gray marble floors and steel detailing and will offer made-to-measure fitting rooms.