Score another point for luxury conglomerates, as Bulgari Group reports that 2005 revenues increased 10.5 percent (10.6 at current exchange rates) to $1.112 billion.

For the fourth quarter of 2005, sales increased 13.2 percent to $377.1 million (12.7 percent at comparable exchange rates) over the same period in 2004, according to a company release issued Tuesday.

Bulgari said all categories benefited from new launches and investments throughout the year, with increases of 7.5 percent (7.4 percent at current exchange rates) in jewelry and 4.5 percent in watches. For the quarter, sales of watches grew 17.7 percent (16.5 percent at comparable exchange rates) and jewelry grew 8.9 percent (8.2 percent at comparable exchange rates).

Full-year sales in perfumes increased 18.3 percent (18.5 percent at comparable exchange rates) and in accessories increased 23.8 percent (24.1 percent at comparable exchange rates), according to the company.

Geographically, the company said 2005 sales in Japan were “brilliant,” with 17.4 percent annual growth at comparable exchange rates. U.S. sales for the year rose a healthy 12.6 percent (12.5 percent at comparable exchange rates) for the year, while U.S. sales grew 4.9 percent (1.1 percent at comparable exchange rates) for the quarter.


Full report: http://www.bulgari.com/bulgari13.asp