Tommaso Maria Andorlini Takes Over from Alessandra Rossi as Retailer Sets Sights on International Growth
Italian luxury retailer LuisaViaRoma has named Tommaso Maria Andorlini as its new chief executive officer, as the company aims to further develop its global footprint and pursue international growth opportunities.
Andorlini takes over from Alessandra Rossi, who assumed the CEO role in October 2021 following the completion of a deal with Milan-based private equity firm Style Capital, which acquired a 40 percent stake in the company.
Before the acquisition, the CEO position was held by Andrea Panconesi, whose family legacy is closely tied to LuisaViaRoma. The luxury retailer traces its roots back to 1929 when Panconesi’s grandmother, Luisa Jaquin, opened a small boutique on Florence’s Via Roma.
With over two decades of experience in the fashion industry, Andorlini brings valuable expertise to LuisaViaRoma. Since 2020, he has been leading the companies he founded, FFW, which specializes in creating and managing e-commerce sites for fashion brands, and SOTF, a platform bridging the gap between digital and brick-and-mortar retail.
The appointment of Andorlini is expected to bolster LuisaViaRoma’s standing in the fashion and luxury sector, aligning with its long-term vision and leveraging potential synergies for the benefit of clients and partners. Additionally, the company looks to leverage Andorlini’s expertise in the sportswear and sneakers categories, further enhancing its offerings.
In recent developments, LuisaViaRoma secured a long-term lease for a 7,855-square-foot retail space at 1 Bond Street in Manhattan’s NoHo district, signaling its commitment to expanding its presence in the U.S., where it currently generates 17 percent of its overall sales. Italy remains its largest market, accounting for 25 percent of total revenues, while France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany combined contribute another 25 percent.
Style Capital’s significant investment of 130 million euros for the 40 percent stake has fueled LuisaViaRoma’s growth trajectory. Last year, the retailer’s sales amounted to approximately 250 million euros, with over 90 percent of revenue generated online. Panconesi envisions that revenues will surpass 300 million euros in 2023, a testament to the company’s rapid acceleration and success.
LuisaViaRoma’s achievements can be attributed to its strong performance in the domestic market, witnessing a remarkable 40 percent increase in sales over the past two years. Additionally, its continuous efforts in brand scouting and curated selections have expanded its luxury offerings to include more than 600 esteemed brands.
The retailer also embarked on innovative initiatives, such as a collaboration with Vestiaire Collective, enabling customers to exchange previously worn fashion items for credits towards new purchases on the e-commerce platform.
In June, LuisaViaRoma made waves in the fashion world with its “Runway Icons” outdoor show in Florence, co-hosted with British Vogue. The extravagant event featured designs from both emerging and established labels, garnering widespread attention and acclaim from more than 2,000 guests and a star-studded lineup of models.
With Tommaso Maria Andorlini at the helm, LuisaViaRoma is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of success and solidify its position as a leading global luxury retailer.