MILAN, March 26 (Class Editori) -- Bulgari is asking the fashion companies to unite in the fight against COVID-19 and it is receiving the first positive signals from the business in China. The jewellery company Lvmh has resumed its distribution in the former Celestial Empire, after having closed half of the stores active on the territory. However, the scenario is evolving.
The total recovery of the country economy, according to some brands, will be strongly linked to the demand recovery in the foreign countries: everything depends on how long they will have to fight against the pandemic. As far as Italy is concerned, this message regards the national enterprises, and their responsibility to cope with the emergency.
In line with this objective, Bulgari has made a donation to the Research Department of the Lazzaro Spallanzani hospital in Rome, to which the production of 200,000 units of hand sanitizer bottles has been added soon after. The strategic vision and the details about the projects have been explained to MFF by Jean-Christophe Babin, the CEO of Bulgari.
Question: what kind of restrictive measures have you implemented for your team and the distribution?
Answer: Since the first day after the emergency declaration in Wuhan and Hubei, China closed airports, high-speed routes, factories, offices, schools. Moreover, domestic movements have been banned, by implementing quarantine measures never seen before. Bulgari has closed 16 stores, about 50% of our presence on the territory, particularly in the areas considered at risk. We have immediately felt that something very important was taking place. In Italy, we have respected regulations, until the current closing of production sites. The top priority has been granting that all our employees were safe; they have continued working remotely, without the need of changing any meeting and daily working plans. This experience is teaching us to work differently, but effectively.
Q. In China is everything coming back to normal?
A. All Bulgari stores have been reopened, with the only exception of the one based in Wuhan. It is surely too early to talk about a comeback to normal or to release detailed statistics. China's reaction and its way of resuming is giving us a great hopeful sign. Its economic recovery is linked with the foreign countries' demand, which will depend on how quickly they will cope with the virus. For this reason, it is crucial to reach a downward trend of infections and strategically think of how it will be possible to resume everything.
Q. Which are your business forecasts?
A. This second quarter will represent a settlement and balance moment; however, it will give an important boost for 2021, which will be recorded as the growth and renaissance year. The attitude towards luxury might evolve in the short or medium term. Definitely, it will further quicken the expectations and the customers' perception towards a greater authenticity, quality and social responsibility, three dimensions in which Bulgari believes. We are all working in the luxury field, which will surely not disappear. The jewellery has been existing for more than 15,000 years and fashion, with its creativity and dynamism, has always celebrated the most emotional turning points of life and history. And it will continue to do so.
Q. How did you support Italy during the COVID-19 emergency?
A. The company decided to support science, by making a huge donation to the Research Department of the Hospital Lazzaro Spallanzani in Rome, which has been the first at isolating the virus in less than 48 hours. Now, the team of researchers can work with a very high-resolution 3D microscope in order to accelerate the attainment of the result and benefit all the COVID-19 victims. Moreover, thanks to the expertise in the world of fragrances together with our long-standing partner, ICR (reunited cosmetic industries), we will produce a hand sanitizer and disinfectant in the factory of Lodi. 6,000 bottles will be produced every day by reaching the first goal of 200 thousand pieces, which will be delivered through the coordination of the Central Government. (Give a look at MFF March 23)
Q. What would you feel to suggest to the Italian companies?
A. Professionally speaking, I believe that not giving up is crucial. It is necessary to have a strategic vision of the following months. I think that companies such as Bulgari, strongly connected to the Country, protagonists of the economy and symbol of Italy, would be responsible of contributing to the national effort in order to help and prevent, fight and eradicate COVID-19. The crisis we are facing has often been compared – if it is not greater - to the one of the second post-war period and if we really think about that moment, we cannot help remembering how much that recovery has given life to the best growth and creative momentum ever.
(Source:Class Editori)
Notice: No person, organization and/or company shall disseminate or broadcast the above article on Xinhua Silk Road website without prior permission by Xinhua Silk Road.
A single purchase
