By the end of next year, the Percassi Group expects to have a network of more than 300 shops, 50 of which operated in joint venture agreements with the Benetton Group and others in association with Flavio Briatore, with whom the Percassi Group signed an agreement for development of the Billionaire Italian Couture brand and 100 with the proprietary brand Kiko Make Up Milano, a successful line of innovative cosmetics that has gone on to expand into the international market.

Premium Retail was founded in 2008 by Stefano Stroppiana with the participation of the Percassi Group, which handles the design, development, commercialization and operation of large luxury retail property projects.

Premium Retail is committed to realizing high-profile locales for producers, distributors and consumers. Significant examples include the ambitious redevelopment project of the San Pellegrino Terme complex, launch of the first Outlet Village in Sicily, development of the Praha Outlet Village, conception of the final plans for the Shopping and Entertainment Center in Azzano and Segrate, and opening to the public of the Antegnate Shopping Center. Premium Retail is presently working on unique sites in the leading European capitals of fashion, art and design for emerging designers and innovative shopping centers that will revolutionize the discount sales formula, to focus on the concept of accessible luxury.

Sicilia Outlet Village - The first Outlet Village in Sicily In Agira (Enna), in the heart of the island’s lakes and castles district, located at the feet of the highest provincial capital in Italy, the Sicilia Outlet Village will play host to 100 elegant boutiques operated directly by the great names in international fashion, where apparel and fashion collections, accessories, shoes and home products will be available at prices discounted 30 to 70% all year round.

The urban architectures and spaces, inspired by the Sicilian Baroque, further beautified by the ceramics and mosaics of the artisans and masters of Caltagirone, will play host to charming restaurants, pastry shops, ice cream parlors and coffee shops set among the flower beds, shade trees, and pergolas. Outlet visitors will savor the unique and delicious flavors of Sicilian food and wine. What’s more, the Sicilia Outlet Village will also feature areas dedicated to recreation for families and children, tourist and information services, shaded parking areas with thousands of parking spaces, and community plazas designed to host cultural events and top quality concerts.

As from October 2010, travelers on their way on the toll-free Palermo-Catania (A19) motorway will be able to stop at the first Outlet Village in Sicily at the Dittaino junction at the foot of the mountain that dominates the valleys of Salso and Simeto.

Construction of the Sicilia Outlet Village will take place in two phases. Phase I will end with the opening of more than 100 retail shops on more than 25,000 m² of indoor shopping space, which will be augmented by the 30 additional retail stores on over 6,000 m² opened during Phase II. The shopping center will be served by a vast 2,200-space parking lot. The commercial offer will also include retail shops dedicated to the excellence of the food and wine production and Sicilian craftsmanship, further reiterating the strong ties that the Sicilia Outlet Village aims to establish on the territory. The Sicilia Outlet Village is strategically located at the geographic center of the island, allowing for fast and easy access from all the major urban centers of Sicily: 20 minutes from Caltanissetta, 30 minutes from Catania, 60 minutes from Agrigento and Taormina and 90 minutes from Palermo. In addition to the A19, the ordinary road network and the railways will guarantee access to and from the Center, ensuring that it can be reached in a short time from any direction and generating a user pool of some 4 million people within a 90-minute radius.

From Palermo to Taormina, from the park of Etna to the Agrigento temples, the richness of the artistic and cultural heritage combines with the beauty and variety of the landscape of Sicily to make this Center unique in the world, a destination of tourist traffic of some 14 million people each year. The province of Enna specifically sees more than one and half million tourists each year, attracted by the artistic heritage that includes the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, named a heritage of humanity by Unesco.

Source: Premium Retail

Abstract of the article from www.europe-re.com, 15.12.2009