MILAN – The 12 months 2022 was “unforgettable” for Golden Goose, in accordance with chief executive officer Silvio Campara.

Within the 12 months ended Dec. 31, the Italian company saw its revenues climb 30 percent to 500.9 million euros, compared with 385.6 million euros in 2021. Compared with 2020, sales soared 88 percent.

Growth was driven largely by the expansion and strong performance of direct-to-consumer channels within the Americas, now the most important and fastest growing market, and within the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

In light of this strong performance, Campara said “that is only the start. The incredible results we achieved in 2022 prove the value of our people in constructing long-term and sustainable visions.  In 2023 we’ll carry on crafting our successes through latest product launches, latest places to connect with communities, and an progressive platform” to rejoice them each.

Market sources in Milan say that Golden Goose has been laying the foundations for an initial public offering, but the corporate declined to comment on Tuesday.

Golden Goose was established in 2000, and is best known for its successful Superstar sneakers and intentionally distressed styles. In 2020 the corporate was acquired by the private equity fund Permira from the Carlyle Europe Buyout fund. The worth tag was pegged at 1.28 billion euros.

Golden Goose ranked first in 2021 and second last 12 months on the list of corporations with probably the most potential to publicly list, in accordance with Milan-based consultancy Pambianco Strategie di Impresa.

In 2022, sales within the Americas amounted to 230.4 million euros, rising 55 percent compared with 2021 and 169 percent on 2020. The performance was lifted by the expansion of the direct-to-consumer channels within the region, in addition to the positive contribution of wholesale partners.

Revenues within the EMEA region rose 33 percent to 193.1 million euros compared with 2021. Compared with 2020, they soared 81 percent. Growth was mainly organic, driven by the retail and digital channels and supported by solid domestic demand and the rebound of tourism within the region.

Resulting from a streamlining of the wholesale channel which was accomplished in 2022, sales in Asia Pacific were down 4 percent to 82.4 million euros. Excluding the wholesale business, the direct-to-consumer channel grew by 10 percent. Following the gradual easing of the restrictions related to the pandemic within the second half of 2022, the corporate has reported encouraging signs of recovery.

Golden Goose has been investing in its retail channel, which registered a rise of 54 percent in sales to 251 million euros on 2021.

The corporate announced its 2025 sustainability plan Forward Agenda last 12 months. It’s built around 4 pillars – innovation, the valuation of craft, look after the people and engagement with communities. Golden Goose unveiled the primary Forward Store in Milan last July, a collaboratio between Golden Goose’s cobblers and customers.

Forward builds upon Golden Goose’s responsibility efforts, including Cradle-to-Cradle Certification for all latest products, in addition to raw material tracing.

The 5,600-square-feet circular unit in Recent York’s SoHo was the second Forward Store to open last 12 months, followed by one in Dubai. The stores aim to provide longer life to sneaker products from any brand by offering repairing, remaking, reselling and recycling services.

The SoHo store sits across two levels. The primary floor houses an innovation lab and a shopping space for clothing, accessories and jewellery. The basement has been transformed right into a repair atelier complete with industrial raw concrete floors, iron pillars and a combination of salvaged furniture and vintage-inspired sewing equipment.

Campara touted the brand’s co-creation experiences, and contended it was “the primary luxury brand to supply repairing services on any brand’s product.”

In total, the corporate has greater than 180 stores world wide, and the direct-to-consumer channels account for 70 percent of total sales.

In 2022, the digital channel generated sales of 100.4 million euros, up 56  percent on 2021, driven by the continued expansion of the e-commerce channel and marketplaces.

Golden Goose also reported a one hundred pc year-on-year growth in customer retention globally and a 5 percent growth in average spending, signalling a growing community of customers.

Campara has long voiced the brand’s commitment to its handmade and artisanal tradition and within the fourth quarter last 12 months the corporate continued to speculate in its vertical integration by acquiring its primary supplier, Italian Fashion Team.

With this investment, roughly 40 percent of Golden Goose’s total production was to be brought in-house and produced by local talent in Apulia’s Salento footwear district. It also allowed the corporate to scale up production capability for the subsequent phase of growth and to oversee a big portion of the availability chain to make sure efficiency, sustainability, responsibility and transparency.

In December, Golden Goose teamed with  Swarovski Creators Lab, to release an exclusive capsule collection.

The limited-edition range included two latest versions of the Italian brand’s signature Super-Star sneakers. Inspired by the skate scene in Los Angeles and known for its artfully distressed appearance, the footwear style underwent a blinding makeover after being covered in Swarovski crystals of various sizes and cuts.

Golden Goose was born out of the highly artisanal shoemaking district within the Veneto region. Campara said his mission is to preserve local craftsmanship with the creation of Fondamenta, the corporate’s creative hub, skilled shoemaking school and academy that trains artisans at every stage of the manufacturing pipeline.