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Giordano International

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Giordano International Limited
Company typePublic
SEHK709
IndustryRetail
Founded1981; 43 years ago (1981)[1]
FounderJimmy Lai
HeadquartersHong Kong
Area served
Asia-Pacific
Middle East
Africa
Key people
Colin Melville Kennedy Currie (CEO)[2]
Tsang On Tip, Patrick (Chairman)[2]
ProductsApparel
BrandsGiordano, Giordano Women, Giordano Junior, Giordano Ladies, G-Motion, BSX, Beau Monde
RevenueIncrease HK$ HK$3,873 million (2023) [3]
Increase HK$ HK$345 million (2023) [3]
Number of employees
~6,500 (2023) [4]
Websitehttps://corp.giordano.com.hk/

Giordano International Limited is an international retailer of men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories founded in Hong Kong in 1981.[5]

Giordano now employs over 6,500 staff, with around 1,800 shops operating in more than 30 countries and regions worldwide.[6]

Giordano embodies today’s contemporary lifestyle choices — simplicity in design and quality in substance. Brands include: Giordano, Giordano Women, Giordano Junior, Giordano Ladies, BSX and Beau Monde. The essence of Giordano is to provide relevant, essential and timeless fashion for all; and to develop apparel for everyone regardless of ethnicity, nationality or culture, illustrating the brand value “World Without Strangers”.

History

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Giordano was founded in 1981 in Hong Kong by Jimmy Lai. The inspiration for the company's name came during a business trip to New York City. Lai found himself at a Manhattan pizza shop by the same name and woke up the next day to find a napkin printed with the Giordano name in his pocket. It was decided that this name would work well as it would conjure up visions and feel of Italian fashion in the consumer's mind.[7]

Jimmy Lai's association with the company ended in 1996.[8][9] Peter Lau Kwok Kuen took over as the company’s chairman and chief executive, leading Giordano until 2024. In April 2024, Colin Melville Kennedy Currie was appointed CEO. He was chosen for the position amid a restructuring of the company's board in early 2024.

The company now operates globally in more than 30 countries and regions worldwide, across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Australia and Africa.

Key International Operations

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Giordano operates around 1,800 stores in more than 30 countries.

Giordano, Manson House, 2-storey Flagship Store, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Giordano, Gangnam, 3-storey Flagship Store, Seoul, South Korea
Giordano, Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Hong Kong

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Giordano was founded in Hong Kong in 1981, where it is currently headquartered. The company now operates 38 shops in Hong Kong, including a two-storey flagship store in Tsim Sha Tsui.[6]

Mainland China

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Giordano entered Mainland China market in 1991 and established regional office in 1992. It now operates 486 stores in all major cities in Greater China region.[6]

Taiwan

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Giordano entered Taiwan by distributing Giordano merchandise through a joint venture in 1983. Giordano operates 168 stores in Taiwan . Giordano’s stores are located in Taipei City, Taichung, and Tainan.[6]

Southeast Asia

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Indonesia

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Giordano has 238 stores in Indonesia.[6] The brand is also available at premium locations across the country, including Jakarta and Bali.

Thailand

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Giordano launched the brand through the establishment of joint ventures in 1994. The company has 156 stores in the country.[6] The brand is also available at premium locations across the country, including Jakarta and Bali.

Singapore

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The company entered Singapore in 1985 as Southeast Asia's first phase of expansion. The company has 30 stores in the market.[6]

Vietnam and Cambodia

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The group currently has 44 stores in Vietnam and 3 stores in Cambodia, all located in premium locations.[6]

Malaysia

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The Group entered the Malaysian market and opened its first outlet in Kuala Lumpur in 1991. In Malaysia, the brand is located in a number of premium locations, including Pavilion KL, Suria KLCC and the Exchange TRX. The group has 88 stores in Malaysia.[6]

South Korea

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The first retail store opened in 1994. Giordano’s most prominent store is the three-storey flagship store in Gangnam. Other stores are located in prime locations, including Lotte World Mall. Currently, the group has 120 stores in the country.[6]

India

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Giordano first entered the Indian market in 2006, but relaunched in 2018 with a new franchise partner. The brand currently has 58 points of sale in India, mainly located in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.[6]

Bangladesh

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Giordano currently has six locations in Bangladesh, all located in Dhaka.[6]

Gulf Cooperation Council

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Giordano entered the Middle East market in 1995. Up to 2023, the company has 178 stores across the region in GCC [6].The brand is available in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. The brand first launched in Dubai, where it continues to occupy a premium position, with prominent store locations in such premium malls as Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Hills Mall.

Africa

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Giordano entered Africa in 2019.[10] The company has since opened shops in Algeria,[11] Egypt,[12] Ghana,[13] Kenya,[14] and Mauritius.[15]

Brands

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Giordano Men & Giordano Women

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Launched in 1981, Giordano’s house brand has been the company's core brand. Recognised for its superior quality, service, and good value for money, the company focuses on simplicity, featuring relaxed, easy-to-wear everyday fashion.

Giordano Junior

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A kids wear line that offers a wide assortment of functional and stylish children's wear.

Giordano Ladies

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A contemporary interpretation of simple, clean, timeless, and modern classic designs targeting office ladies.

G-Motion

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A sports and athleisure brand that offers functional lifestyle wear in 2016.

BSX

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Launched in 2007, BSX is a contemporary streetwear brand.

Beau Monde

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Launched in 2014, Beau Monde as the second line brand by Giordano, offers essential everyday clothing with a touch of southern French flair.

References

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  1. ^ "About Us". Giordano International. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b LIST OF DIRECTORS AND THEIR ROLES AND FUNCTIONS (PDF) (Report). Giordano International. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  4. ^ ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  5. ^ "About Us". Giordano International. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 (PDF) (Report). Giordano International. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  7. ^ Goldstein, Jacob (19 July 2019). "Planet Money". Hong Kong. No. Episode 928. National Public Radio. Planet Money. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  8. ^ Ramzy, Austin (19 November 2024). "He Rose to Riches in Hong Kong. Now He's a Symbol of China's Crackdown". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 20 November 2024. He sold off his Giordano stake in 1996 for an estimated 1.5 billion Hong Kong dollars, equivalent to $190 million, to focus on media.
  9. ^ "Sale of Lai holding in Giordano scrutinised". South China Morning Post. 1 March 1996. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Giordano International is Now Available in South Africa". GQ International. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Giordano opens first store in Algeria". RetailME. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Giordano Egypt Celebrates the Grand Opening of its Second Store in Cairo" (PDF). Giordano International. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Giordano opens first store in Ghana as it expands African footprint". InsideRetail Asia. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Giordano Opens New Kanya Store". Retail & Leisure International. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  15. ^ "Giordano Mauritius Celebrates Opening New Store at Tribeca Central". Retail & Leisure International. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
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