Balance figures for 2001 are certainly in line with the ongoing of large companies, who have registered remarkable performances, considering the post-11 September effect: volumes have increased and reprise is already evident from the first available figures for year 2002.

A trend which is especially valid for the first ten companies of the segment who produce, alone, 70% of the entire sector. Small and medium enterprises, 1400 overall, are in fact in a counter-trend: the difference is ever larger, especially because SMEs have to face the lack of production networks that are capable of selling products with their own brands, and with the impossibility of obtaining licensed brands, potential penetration tools into International markets. What remains certain is that, in an ever more growing market, being small certainly does not help.

Export is the main puller for Made in Italy, achieving in 2001 a growth of 9% compared to the previous year, particularly owing to the affirmation of sunglasses in Asia and America. Its performance recorded an overall export value of 857 million euro, with a growth of 47% in Asian markets and 40% in America, particularly in the United States. Frames, on the other hand, have suffered from the diminishment of consumption underway: sales in 2001 have diminished of about 10% compared to 2000.

Imports to Italy have slowed down their growth trend for frames, but the latter is underway also for sunglasses, especially due to the massive imports that took place in 2000 of low cost and poor quality Asian products, which are often non EC regulation conformant. The decline of imports for this product can be, partly, the result of the fights sustained by Anfao to eliminate sales of non-regulation products.

(Photo: Roberto Contini)

May.2002