PRADA DOES BETTER THAN EXPECTED IN 2009

PRADA DOES BETTER THAN EXPECTED IN 2009

(ANSA) - Milan, February 8 - The Italian fashion group Prada had a better than expected year in 2009 and despite the economic downturn posted more earnings than the previous year, a company statement said.

This was in part thanks to the performance of Prada's retail chain which saw sales climb by more than 14% over 2008, the statement added.

The group said it was satisfied with the results which allowed Prada to fully self-finance its development plan with investments of over 120 million euros.