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Luxury goods floats

By This Is Money
Updated: 04:22 EDT, 10 June 2011

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The Daily Mail City team explains why a number of fashion firms are lining up to list

What?

Grab your handbag - or perhaps your suitcase - and head to Hong Kong or Milan to grab a chunk of new luxury goods shares.

Italian fashion house Prada, luggagemaker Samsonite and handbag designer Coach are lining up to list on the Asian market this year, while Florentine shoe-maker Salvatore Ferragamo is looking to sell a 25% stake on the Milan bourse.

Strange timing?

Not really.

Even though the average person on the British High Street is tightening his or her belt, the global luxury goods market is booming - driven largely by the growing Chinese middle class and its insatiable appetite for the latest must-have accessories.

Must-have investment?

That remains to be seen. Samsonite has reduced the maximum size of its offering by 11%.

Next in line in the flotation queue is Prada, which at the top of its indicative price range would trade at a hefty premium to its European peers, such as France's LVMH and Britain's Burberry.

Ferragamo's listing is expected to be more in keeping with the price of its alreadylisted rivals, but there have been rumours it may be delayed.

Closer to home?

Burberry is the obvious UKlisted luxury goods firm. Its shares have had a stellar ride, practically doubling over the past year.

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