Auteur/autrice : Newsroom

In an area of ​​the world extremely interested in eyewear and Made in Italy excellence, where a large part of exports are concentrated, Marcolin has strategically chosen to be geographically close to customers by organizing various events. Singapore, Shanghai and Sydney: three locations were chosen by Marcolin to meet customers and collaborators in the Apac area during the 2024 edition of the Summer Buying Days. An opportunity welcomed with enthusiasm to evaluate the new collections and discuss the opportunities offered by the acquisition of new brands. The second appointment was reserved for China and North Asia: in the province of Hainan, the Shenzhou Peninsula Grand Hyatt hotel welcomes 47 guests. The four-day event, representing 19 companies from China, Japan and Taiwan, was the first ever held in APAC outside of the Marcolin showroom. In Singapore and Sydney, however, Marcolin customers enjoyed a welcome in showrooms set up for the occasion with the latest in the field of visual merchandising for TOM FORD, ic! berlin, MCM and Christian Louboutin. A large, lively and rapidly growing market which, according to the latest Anfao data, saw an increase in requests for frames (+24.6%) and sunglasses (+38.1%) in 2023 compared to the previous year and which its continued double-digit growth will also be confirmed in 2024.

It is therefore not surprising that Marcolin, already present in more than 125 countries around the world and with four design and development teams located between Italy, the United States and Asia, over the years has created and grown a network of branches in Asia able to work synergistically to satisfy the global expectations of brands and meet the demands of young, curious and increasingly aware and demanding customers. Consolidating its presence in this territory thanks to tailor-made services and a portfolio of world-famous brands.

During the Summer Buying Days, customers, between presentations and convivial moments, also had the opportunity to take stock of their experience with Marcolin. And, once again, the ability of the Longarone company to combine skills of competence, creativity and professionalism with a special attention to human relations was highlighted. With a professional response focused on the local market. What has met general favor, then, is the vision, the ability to innovate and creatively promote products of the highest quality. All aspects which, in this part of the world, strengthen customer confidence and contribute to making very positive forecasts for 2025 too.

Three days under the California sun and palm trees, set against the welcoming backdrop of the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, a luxury resort offering a breathtaking view of the Pacific, a private beach, a gym and an immense spa to indulge in relaxation. This is the scenario where Marcolin greeted its US customers and partners for the yearly Summer Buying Days. The perfect opportunity to strengthen new and well-established relationships in an informal and pleasant atmosphere. But also, to introduce the hottest new entries in the company’s portfolio and the latest news for the next season.

The Buying Days were not all about meetings and presentations, but also about sports and wellness, thanks to the many options offered by the sponsors, starting from a morning yoga session, rigorously held outdoors in front of the Ocean. Some chose Timberland’s unique eco-hike to a scenic spot overlooking the Santa Barbara hills, others TOM FORD Eyewear’s catamaran charter, for a truly unforgettable experience, while the sportiest ones opted for a spin class at dawn together with adidas. Then, a relaxing aperitif by the swimming pool with Guess and, on the last day, a wine tasting event organized by Max Mara.

Like every year, the Summer Buying Days were also an opportunity to find out what our partners and customers think about Marcolin’s quality and style. Many opinions were collected: most people had very positive opinions on Marcolin’s customer service, since it leads customers by the hand – from the very beginning to the end of the process – providing them with any information they may need. A value that is perceived as an integral part of the relationship with the Group. That’s why the Summer Buying Days also confirmed our attentive and respectful attitude towards our customers, who need to experience all the brands’ new products and trends firsthand but also to feel part of a relationship that’s more than just business. And that, moving into the future, will continue to encompass great skills, devotion, attention to detail and support.

A few kilometers from Bologna, nestled in the lush, rolling Bologna hills, stands the Palazzo di Varignana resort, a majestic villa dating back to the 1700s that was turned into a Hotel de Charme and a true oasis of peace and relaxation. Against this welcoming backdrop, between June 16-21, Marcolin greeted its customers and buyers for the EMEA Summer Days. This is the annual event during which they can meet, discuss the brand’s values, and discover the new collections of the various license and house brands part of the company’s portfolio.

Five pleasant and intense days in which the sales team also presented in detail the features and goals of the two house brands: ic! berlin e WEB EYEWEAR. Great attention was paid to customer needs and to the margin for improvement of the products and services implemented by Marcolin over the past year. An important event but not the only one: on the same days, Marcolin organized a number of key sales events worldwide, such as the US Summer Buying Days in Santa Barbara (California), the APAC Summer Buying Days in China, Singapore and Australia and those in the Middle East in Phuket (Thailand).

Many different topics were discussed, such as the renewal of key licenses, from GCDS to ZEGNA, up to MAX&Co. and Skechers, as well as the new exclusive agreements signed with Christian Louboutin and K-Way in early 2024. But the highlight of the event was the premiere of the new corporate video, #BoundlessVision: a journey through the territory where the Company was born and still continues to grow thanks to its special mix of craftsmanship and innovation. Continuing down its growth path, one step at a time, day after day.

The event dedicated to sustainability organized by PAI Partners, a leading private equity firm that once a year brings together the largest companies in which it is a shareholder – including Marcolin – for a two-day event dedicated to sustainability, has just concluded in Aranjuez, the elegant and verdant resort near Madrid. An event that once again this year alternated between talks by industry experts and occasions for debate and intense group sessions. Indeed, Sustainability Club is the cornerstone of PAI’s commitment to these issues and, together with the Sustainability Academy, promotes ad hoc training courses.

Title of this edition? « Transforming futures » which, alone, goes a long way toward explaining PAI’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and strategic growth as it looks to the future of the companies in its portfolio. All called upon today to improve performance by aiming for decarbonization, fostering biodiversity and, above all, creating value from every point of view: economic, human and environmental. This is a complex and ambitious goal that can no longer be deferred, to be achieved both in established, historical entities and in younger, rapidly growing ones.

At the conclusion of this two days of work in Spain, the award obtained by Marcolin represents a point of satisfaction and, at the same time, a new opportunity for growth. On one hand, in fact, it is a recognition of Marcolin’s long and serious commitment to gender equality, as evidenced by the third edition of the Leadership Academy dedicated exclusively to future managers and the 40% increase in women in senior leadership roles as well as the 19% increase in women present on Boards of Directors. But, on the other hand, it is also an invitation to stay the course to ensure that diversity and inclusion are never reduced to mere slogans, but rather can create real opportunities for growth and discussion.

In collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, Marcolin Talk made its debut outside Italy for the first time at the Group’s showroom in Shanghai, in front of an engaged audience of customers, media and industry professionals. Visions was the key theme of the event hosting three illustrious guests: Natsuko Watanabe, General Manager at TOM FORD Beauty, Jerome Bachasson, President of Greater China at ZEGNA; Mauro Maggioni, Board Member of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China and CEO Asia Pacific at Golden Goose.

The event touched on a variety of topics, ranging from the value of Made in Italy on the global markets – specifically the Asian one – to sustainability up to the relationship between territorial culture and women’s empowerment, innovation and the future. The latest luxury spending trends in Asia after the Covid pandemic were also discussed: according to the 2023 China Luxury Report, by 2030 China will account for 40% of luxury spending globally. In China there is an ever-increasing need for creating new connections between brands and consumers, who today are looking for a more immersive and increasingly digital relationship with the world of values represented by the different brands. New concepts are thus entering the scene, such as experiential retail and cross-projects, new ideas that can boost customer experience and that we will be hearing more and more of soon.

Sustainability is another recurring theme that is perfectly exemplified by the amazing story of Ermenegildo Zegna who, over a century ago, devoted his life to safeguarding the land with a great tree planting project that gave life to Oasi Zegna, the largest private natural park in Europe. This unique legacy, along with quality, is what consumers in China are currently looking for. The Made in Italy sector is traditionally known for product quality even though, to stay competitive in such a dynamic market like the Chinese one, you have to reinvent yourself and take cultural diversity into account. A well-known concept to Natsuko Watanabe who, in the early stages of her consulting career, was the only woman in a male-dominated world. A woman who today, at TOM FORD Beauty, is the only expat to guide an all-Chinese team: and this melting pot of different cultures has once again proven to be a winning value. But what about the future? According to Maggioni we will soon move from today’s reputation economy to a temple economy, where consumption will be guided by consumers’ unexpected search for intimacy and spirituality. After the guests’ speeches, Marcolin CEO Fabrizio Curci concluded by highlighting how important it is to the Company to promote a broader discussion that transcends the logic behind the reference industry, providing its community with the tools needed to see through a new ‘frame’, inspiring transformation and promoting social and cultural debate.