Italian luxury brand The Prada group recorded a jump in first-half sales, boosted by strong growth in Asia. The company said today (6 August) that revenue increased 36.5% over the half ended 31 July to reach EUR1.5bn (1.9 billion dollars).

The retail channel, on which the group strategy concentrates, contributed sales of 1,2 billion euro’s (1.5 billion dollars) or 80.6 percent of the group total. This was up by 47.2 percent compared to the first half of 2011. Wholesale sales also increased by 4.8 percent.

Asia Pacific drove growth, jumping 45%, while sales in Europe were up 37.5%, up 34.2% in Japan, 31% in the Americas and 21.7% in Italy as compared to the same period last year.

Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of Prada, has expressed his satisfaction with these results which were achieved in an extremely difficult economic environment with the market continuing to reward Prada for its unyielding commitment to style and the pursuit of quality.

It said growth was mainly driven by the Prada and Miu Miu brands, which grew 40.5% and 23.6% respectively. It also operates the Church’s and Car Shoe brands.

In the first half of 2012, in line with its strategy, the group continued to develop its retail network, opening 28 new stores. Its products are sold in 70 countries worldwide through a network that includes 414 directly operated stores (DOS) at July 31, 2012 and a selected network of luxury department stores, independent retailers and franchise stores. Of the 414 stores, 263 are Prada, 102 Miu Miu, 43 Church’s and six Car Shoe.