Swiss watchmaker Hublot expects sales to be near flat in 2009, while rival Ebel struck a more cautious note, saying its overall sales this year were likely to be lower than in 2008 as American demand for watches withered.
"Tiffany has clearly not been immune from global economic turmoil in recent months,” conceded the Chief Executive of the New York jeweler in a statement that confirmed the group had seen lower sales in the final quarter of 2008 across the board.
Italian luxury shoe and bag maker Tod's SpA left its 2008 dividend unchanged at 1.25 euros a share on Tuesday March 24 after reporting a 7.9 percent rise in its net profit to 83.4 million euros ($113.7 million).
Shares in Swiss clothing retailer Voegele jumped on Monday March 23 after the company's chairman and vice chairman said they were stepping down under pressure from shareholders, stirring break-up talk.
Shares of Crocs Inc are trading at their lowest levels since last fall, as the struggling shoe maker tries to extend its credit facility, which expires in less than two weeks.
Women's-apparel chain New York & Co Inc posted a wider-than-expected fourth-quarter loss, hurt by weak consumer spending, and said it expects to post a loss in the first quarter as well, sending its shares down 9 percent.
Clothing manufacturer Perry Ellis International Inc posted a surprise fourth-quarter loss on falling sales and declining margins, and said it suspended giving annual earnings forecast, sending its shares down as much as 21 percent.
Beauty products retailer Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc posted a fourth-quarter profit that beat market expectations as it avoided discounting during the holiday season, but forecast first-quarter results below market estimates.
British fashion group French Connection swung to a full-year loss, scrapped its final dividend and said it expected 2009 to be just as tough, sending its shares 6 percent lower.
The private equity firm Lion Capital has invested $80 million in the clothing manufactuer, distributor and retailer American Apparel.
French beauty products group Yves Rocher has shelved plans to enter Latin America because of the financial crisis and predicts sales could either rise or fall up to 2 percent this year.
Disposal gains at Escada failed to offset easing demand for luxury goods and costs from an ongoing restructuring programme, leading to a near 20 percent drop in first-quarter core profit.
German billionaire brothers Wolfgang and Michael Herz plan to participate in a capital increase at Escada, in which they hold a combined 24.9 percent stake.
Italian eyewear maker Safilo said on Monday March 16 it expects to close the first quarter with sales down between 10 percent and 15 percent and would not distribute a dividend on 2008 results.
Italian eyewear maker Luxottica Group SpA posted a 17.6 percent drop in 2008 net profit on Thursday March 12 and said it would not propose a dividend for now.
