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PARIS, April 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ —
- Balanced Growth of Consumer Activities
- PPR Confident in its 2008 Performances

In Q1 2008, PPR reported revenues of EUR4.9 billion, up 20% in reported terms and 4% on a comparable basis in terms of Group scope and exchange rates, compared to Q1 2007.
François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of PPR, noted:
“Thanks to its diversified and balanced profile, PPR has begun the year with a solid business performance, in tougher markets. Gucci Group’s momentum underscores the success and relevance of the multi-brand strategy implemented by the Luxury Goods division, even as the Gucci brand itself experienced softer growth. Consumer activities lived up to our expectations with a satisfactory performance. All in all, given our steady revenue momentum, and the Group’s proven strengths, I remain confident in PPR’s ability to deliver another year of growth and enhanced financial performance in 2008.”
Change Change
(in EUR million) Q1 2008 Reported Comparable (1)

Fnac 1,026 2.9% 2.7%
Redcats Group 916 - 1.1% - 4.4%
Conforama 790 - 0.8% - 0.9%
CFAO 691 16.3% 17.5%
Puma 673 6.6%
Gucci Group 816 4.0% 9.6%
Inter-company sales and (6) ns ns
other
PPR - Continuing operations 4,906 19.8% 4.1%
Discontinued operations (2) 318

(1) On a comparable basis in terms of Group scope and exchange rates.

(2) YSL Beauté for EUR162 million, Redcats Missy for EUR54 million, Empire Stores for EUR36 million, Surcouf for EUR60 million and Conforama Poland for EUR6 million.
Fnac maintains its focus on profitable growth
Fnac made a promising start to 2008 with revenues up 2.7% on a comparable basis versus Q1 2007. In France, despite an adverse calendar impact, the brand reported growth, fueled by good performance in Editorial Products, which gained market shares in all categories. On-line sales increased significantly. business outside of France acted as a growth driver, particularly in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Brazil. Fourteen additional Fnac stores will open in France and abroad by the end of 2008.
Redcats in line with expectations
Redcats Q1 2008 revenues decreased by 4.4% on a comparable basis and 1.1% in reported terms compared to Q1 2007. The poor economic environment, particularly in the apparel market, weighed heavily on Redcats activity during the quarter. The leading multi-channel brands (La Redoute, The Sportsman’s Guide, the US Large Size division and the Senior brands) were resilient. The Children-Family division reported satisfactory sales. On-line sales continued to post solid growth and represented 46% of Redcats home shopping revenue in Q1 2008.
Improving trends at Conforama
In Q1 2008, Conforama revenues dropped by 0.9% on a comparable basis from the Q1 2007 level. business in March was affected by the negative calendar impact. Stores in France reported solid growth driven by the results of the Furniture segment, which outperformed the market in most product categories. Home Electronics sales were fueled by the robust performance of brown goods. Decorative Items posted solid growth. Conforama’s business activity outside of France showed satisfactory resilience in a tougher macro-economic environment in Q1 2008. Italy further reduced its losses in the quarter.
An excellent start to the year for CFAO
CFAO Q1 2008 revenues, up 17.5% on a comparable basis, were driven by the outstanding growth in the Sub-Saharan Africa and Mediterranean regions. CFAO reported robust sales in French overseas territories. The strong growth of the automotive sector continued, and the year got off to an excellent start for Pharmaceuticals with new sustained momentum.
Good performance from Puma outside the US
In Q1 2008, Puma sales rose by 6.6% on a comparable basis, reflecting a significant slowdown in consumers environment in March. Retail stores posted another double-digit growth and accounted for 15% of the brand’s Q1 revenues. Apparel and Accessories achieved very good results. Footwear growth was dragged down by the US economic slowdown. Double-digit growth was recorded in EMEA and Asia-Pacific, stimulated by sound performances in all product categories. Q1 2008 sales declined in the Americas, affected by the continued negative environment in the US mall-based business.
Success of the Gucci Group multi-brand strategy
Despite an adverse currency situation, Gucci Group’s performance in a more challenging luxury goods market was in line with PPR’s expectations. It posted solid growth in Q1 2008, with revenues up 9.6%, on top of challenging comparables in Q1 2007. Fashion and Leather Goods reported double-digit growth. Asia-Pacific excluding Japan continued to grow at a rapid pace ( 26%), driven by a particularly buoyant Chinese market ( 116%). Gucci Group revenues also rose in North America and Europe. Sales in Japan were flat in Q1. The Gucci Group global store network comprised a total of 511 directly-operated stores as of the end of March 2008.
A challenging quarter for the Gucci brand
Gucci brand revenues increased by 2.4% on a comparable basis in Q1 2008 (up 3.7% excluding Timepieces). Despite contrasted performances in mature markets, Gucci continued to expand in the emerging markets where it has a strong foothold. Trading was softer in wholesales but retail posted a satisfactory momentum. Action plans have already been implemented to enable the brand to regain a growth rate consistent with Group objectives. The 2008 Spring/Summer collections were very well received by customers and the brand achieved a good Pre-Fall and 2008 Autumn/Winter sales Campaign. At the end of March, the Gucci network comprised 238 stores.
Bottega Veneta continues to soar
Bottega Veneta Q1 2008 revenues surged by 31.5% on a comparable basis, driven by outstanding performances across all product categories. Sales momentum was sustained in all geographical areas: up 31% in Japan, 30% in Europe, 46% in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan and 19% in North America. The brand opened two stores during the first quarter, for a total of 113 stores at the end of March 2008.
Continuing successful strategy at Yves Saint Laurent
In Q1 2008, Yves Saint Laurent posted a 20.2% increase in revenues (up 7% excluding royalties, against very high comparables in Q1 2007). Solid growth was reported in the Leather Goods sector, driven by good momentum in all handbag lines, notably recently launched models (Besace, Ymail and Muse). Solid growth was posted worldwide. The quarter was marked by the reopening of the brand’s flagship store at Place Saint-Sulpice in Paris, heralding a new Yves Saint Laurent store concept.
Sustained growth for Other brands
The Q1 2008 revenues of the Other brands rose 20.8% on a comparable basis. Balenciaga posted high double-digit growth in all its product categories and geographical areas, boosted by the commercial success of its 2008 Spring-Summer collection and the acceleration of store openings. Boucheron pursued its double-digit growth. The Sergio Rossi 2008 Spring-Summer handbag and shoes collections were a huge commercial success. Alexander McQueen posted a solid performance and Stella McCartney continued its momentum. The Other brands had a total of 96 directly-operated stores at the end of March 2008.
CONFERENCE CALL
PPR will hold a conference call for analysts and investors: at 3:00pm (Continental Europe); 2:00pm (UK); 9:00am (East Coast time, USA), on Thursday April 24, 2008
Conference call dial-in: 33(0)1-70-99-42-66
Replay dial-in: 33(0)1-71-23-02-48
Passcode for the replay: 4870041# (available until May 16, 2008)
PODCAST of the conference call available at
PRESENTATION

The slides (PDF format) will be available ahead of the conference call at http//
About PPR
PPR develops a portfolio of high-growth global brands. Through its Consumer and Luxury brands, PPR generated sales of EUR 19.8 billion in 2007. The Group is present in 90 countries with approximately 93,000 employees. PPR shares are listed on Euronext Paris (# 121485, PRTP.PA, PPFP).
To explore the universe of PPR brands go to Fnac, Redcats Group (La Redoute, Vertbaudet, Somewhere, Cyrillus, Daxon, Ellos, The Sportsman’s Guide, The Golf Warehouse and brands of the plus-size division), Conforama, CFAO, Puma and the Luxury brands of Gucci Group (Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, YSL Beauté, Balenciaga, Boucheron, Sergio Rossi, Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney).
Appendix 1 : Sales in Q1 2008

(in EUR million) Q1 Q1 Change Change
2008 2007 Reported Comparable
(1)
Fnac 1,026.4 997.5 2.9% 2.7%
Redcats Group 915.9 925.8 - 1.1% - 4.4%
Conforama 789.8 795.9 - 0.8% - 0.9%
CFAO 690.6 593.7 16.3% 17.5%
Puma (2) 673.3 6.6%
Gucci Group 816.2 784.5 4.0% 9.6%
Gucci 513.0 530.5 - 3.3% 2.4%
Bottega Veneta 106.2 84.8 25.2% 31.5%
Yves Saint Laurent 63.1 55.2 14.5% 20.2%
Other brands 133.9 114.0 17.5% 20.8%
Inter-company sales and -6.0 -1.5 ns ns
other
PPR - Continuing 4,906.2 4,095.9 19.8% 4.1%
operations
Discontinued operations 318.1 351.8
(3)

(1) On a comparable basis in terms of Group scope and exchange rates.
(2) Puma fully consolidated from April 1, 2007.

(3) YSL Beauté for EUR162 M, Redcats Missy for EUR54 M, Empire Stores for EUR36 M, Surcouf for EUR60 M and Conforama Poland for EUR6 M in Q1 2008.
Website:
PPR

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Vertical Ascent, LLC announced today that it is launching a new statewide business magazine called New Mexico business Magazine. The new magazine is aimed at CEOs, high level business executives, managers, owners of small businesses and others in the business community. The magazine will focus on issues important to New Mexico’s growing business community.
New Mexico business Magazine replaces the New Mexico business Journal which ceased operations earlier this year. While not related to the New Mexico business Journal, the magazine is published by Doug Stine who was editor-in-chief for the business Journal. Mr. Stine has also taken over the subscriber list of the business Journal.
The magazine has wide community support, including financial backing and an editorial board that includes community leaders such as Gary Tonjes, President of Albuquerque Economic Development (AED), Alex Romero, president of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce, Wayne Unze, Sr. Vice President of NAI The Vaughan Company and Phil Messuri of the Financial Network and president of the Financial Planning Association. It also has support from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.
“Most business magazines look like trade magazines,” says Mr. Stine. “We believe business is exciting. We want to kick up some dust and bring a new viewpoint to the business community.” The May issue is scheduled to debut May 1 and the June issue will feature in-depth profiles of New Mexico’s candidates for U.S. Senator.
The initial print run will be 12,000 copies, nearly twice that of the New Mexico business Weekly. While more than half of the circulation will be in the greater Albuquerque area, the magazine will be mailed to subscribers state-wide as well as distributed to chambers of commerce, professional associations and networking events. It will also be available in major bookstores and newsstands.
The magazine represents a new leap in creativity for business magazines, with provocative story angles and dramatic graphics designed by a former designer for the Santa Fean magazine, Laurette Luff, along with Big Box Creative Group. The magazine will be printed locally by Starline Printing. Assisting with editorial and sales responsibilities is Karen McCullough, formerly of New at Home Magazine and Camera Arts.
Mr. Stine has spent more than 20 years working for advertising agencies and in various marketing functions in Silicon Valley and holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and an MBA from Santa Clara University. He was formerly the Sr. Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, had his own advertising agency, and published a relocation guide for Albuquerque.
There are also plans for a ground breaking website that will include an Albuquerque business forum, video profiles, and more.
Anyone wishing to send a press release can visit the website at .
Contact:
Doug Stine
Publisher
New Mexico business Magazine
505-798-2502

Vertical Ascent, LLC