Sover: four-month growth and agreement with Salmoiraghi

During the first four months of 2009, Sover’s billings increased by 3% compared to the same period last year. It also announced a distribution partnership with Salmoiraghi & Viganò for the 1a Classe Alviero Martini brand, which will allow it to take advantage of an historical company that boasts excellent positioning, especially in the center and south of Italy.
At a time of stagnant demand from European markets, including those in the east, Sover is aiming to further strengthen its presence in Italy with brand-personalized distribution and to increase relationships with the Far East, Korea first and foremost, where growth is already exponential. With the falloff in the eyewear sector now at 20%, Sover’s positive growth trend continues with targeted strategic choices.

Although Sover president Paolo Cannicci confirms the contraction in top-range eyewear sales, he also explains how the company maintains its position. “Our distinctiveness lies in the ability to design and produce collections that are personalized for each brand and to guarantee competent distribution to the markets in Italy and abroad. All the stages for the licenses we hold are followed in such a way that our products are never identical”.

“This same sensitivity and attention”, Cannicci continued, “enabled us to perceive that there would be a downturn in top range consumption and to open a production and commercial channel totally dedicated to private labels. A strategy that allows us to grow and invest in new technologies and commercial reinforcement”.

A pioneer of the Russian market in the Nineties and still the symbol of made in Italy eyewear throughout eastern Europe with a chain of stores owned by Sover Optica Shop and joint-ventures in Bucharest, Prague and Moscow, Sover is now one of the top ten Italian companies in the eyewear sector. With about 80 people working at the facility in Soverzene, the Group employs a total of about 300 people.