| Foundation | 1981 (age 45)[1] |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jimmy Lai |
| Location | Hong Kong |
| Revenue | HK$ HK$3,873 million (2023)[2] |
| Net income | HK$ HK$345 million (2023)[2] |
| Key people | Colin Melville Kennedy Currie (CEO)[3] Tsang On Tip, Patrick (Chairman)[3] |
| Area served | Asia-Pacific Middle East Africa |
| Products | Apparel |
| Industry | Retail |
| Num employees | ~6,500 (2023)[2] |
| Brands | Giordano, Giordano Women, Giordano Junior, Giordano Ladies, G-Motion, BSX, Beau Monde |
| Homepage | https://corp.giordano.com.hk/ |
Giordano International Limited is an international retailer of men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories founded in Hong Kong in 1981.[1]
Giordano now employs over 6,500 staff, with around 1,800 shops operating in more than 30 countries and regions worldwide.[2]
History
Giordano was founded in 1981 in Hong Kong by Jimmy Lai. The inspiration for the company's name came during a business trip to New York City. Lai found himself at a Manhattan pizza shop by the same name and woke up the next day to find a napkin printed with the Giordano name in his pocket. It was decided that this name would work well as it would conjure up visions and feel of Italian fashion in the consumer's mind.[4]
Jimmy Lai's association with the company ended in 1996.[5][6] Peter Lau Kwok Kuen took over as the company's chairman and chief executive, leading Giordano until 2024.[7]
In April 2024, former Adidas China managing director Colin Melville Kennedy Currie was appointed CEO by the family of Henry Cheng Kar-shun, which holds about 24.1 percent of the company. Cheng's children, Sonia Cheng Chi-man and Christopher Cheng Chi-leong, were also appointed non-executive directors. The move follows the Cheng family's failed attempt in 2022 to acquire full control of Giordano. As a result, the stock fell 7.4% that day.[7][3]
The company now operates globally in more than 30 countries and regions worldwide, across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Australia and Africa.
Key International Operations
Giordano operates around 1,800 stores in more than 30 countries.
Hong Kong
Giordano was founded in Hong Kong in 1981, where it is currently headquartered. The company now operates 38 shops in Hong Kong, including a two-storey flagship store in Tsim Sha Tsui.[2]
Mainland China
Giordano entered mainland China market in 1991 and established regional office in 1992. In 1994, the Beijing shop was closed after Lai called Chinese Premier Li Peng as "son of a turtle's egg".[8] It now operates 486 stores in all major cities in Greater China region.[2]
Taiwan
Giordano entered Taiwan by distributing Giordano merchandise through a joint venture in 1983. Giordano operates 168 stores in Taiwan . Giordano's stores are located in Taipei City, Taichung, and Tainan.[2]
Southeast Asia
Philippines
The first Giordano store in the Philippines opened in 1989.[9]
Indonesia
Giordano has 238 stores in Indonesia.[2] The brand is also available at premium locations across the country, including Jakarta and Bali.
Thailand
Giordano launched the brand through the establishment of joint ventures in 1994. The company has 156 stores in the country.
Singapore
The company entered Singapore in 1985 as Southeast Asia's first phase of expansion. The company has 30 stores in the market.[2]
Vietnam and Cambodia
The group currently has 44 stores in Vietnam and 3 stores in Cambodia, all located in premium locations.[2]
Malaysia
The Group entered the Malaysian market and opened its first outlet in Kuala Lumpur in 1991. In Malaysia, the brand is located in a number of premium locations, including Pavilion KL, Suria KLCC and the Exchange TRX. The group has 88 stores in Malaysia.[2]
South Korea
The first retail store opened in 1994. Giordano's most prominent store is the three-storey flagship store in Gangnam. Other stores are located in prime locations, including Lotte World Mall. Currently, the group has 120 stores in the country.[2]
India
Giordano first entered the Indian market in 2006, but relaunched in 2018 with a new franchise partner. The brand currently has 58 points of sale in India, mainly located in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.[2]
Bangladesh
Giordano currently has six locations in Bangladesh, all located in Dhaka.[2]
Gulf Cooperation Council
Giordano entered the Middle East market in 1995. Up to 2023, the company has 178 stores across the region in GCC.[2] The brand is available in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. The brand first launched in Dubai.
Africa
Giordano entered Africa in 2019.[10] The company has since opened shops in Algeria,[11] Egypt,[12] Ghana,[13] Kenya,[14] and Mauritius.[15]
Brands
Giordano Men & Giordano Women
Launched in 1981, Giordano's house brand has been the company's core brand.
Giordano Junior
A kids wear line that offers children's wear.
Giordano Ladies
Designs targeting office ladies.
G-Motion
A sports and athleisure brand that offers functional lifestyle wear in 2016.
BSX
Launched in 2007, BSX is a contemporary streetwear brand.
Beau Monde
Launched in 2014, Beau Monde as the second line brand by Giordano, offers everyday clothing.
References
- ^ "About Us". Giordano International. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ Announcement of Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2023. Giordano International. 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-05-11.
- ^ List of Directors and Their Roles and Functions. Giordano International. 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-05-11.
- ^ Goldstein, Jacob (19 July 2019). "Planet Money". Hong Kong. No. Episode 928. National Public Radio. Planet Money. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- ^ Ramzy, Austin (19 November 2024). "He Rose to Riches in Hong Kong. Now He's a Symbol of China's Crackdown.". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
He sold off his Giordano stake in 1996 for an estimated 1.5 billion Hong Kong dollars, equivalent to $190 million, to focus on media.
- ^ "Sale of Lai holding in Giordano scrutinised". South China Morning Post. 1996-03-01. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ "Cheng family seeks to oust Giordano boss". The Standard. 2024-02-07.
- ^ "Son of a Turtle's Egg, Jimmy's in Hot Water". 11 August 1994.
- ^ "Giordano Philippines Celebrates 30 Years of Timeless Style". Tatler Asia. May 2, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ^ "Giordano International is Now Available in South Africa". GQ International. 2019-09-03. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
- ^ "Giordano opens first store in Algeria". Future of retail business in Middle East. RetailME. 2023-08-17. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
- ^ "Giordano Egypt Celebrates the Grand Opening of its Second Store in Cairo". Giordano International. 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
- ^ "Giordano opens first store in Ghana as it expands African footprint". InsideRetail Asia. 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
- ^ "Giordano Opens New Kanya Store". Retail & Leisure International. 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ "Giordano Mauritius Celebrates Opening New Store at Tribeca Central". Retail & Leisure International. 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2023-01-20.