LuisaViaRoma's Milan office, previously a hub for e-commerce activity.
LuisaViaRoma, the prominent e-commerce company, will close its Milan office, impacting 22 employees who will relocate to Florence. This move is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations amid financial challenges. The CEO noted that the Milan unit was nonstrategic and highlighted efforts to centralize teams for enhanced efficiency. The company plans to support employees transitioning to new roles without any layoffs. Discussions with trade unions will address employment strategies as LuisaViaRoma navigates ongoing market challenges.
LuisaViaRoma, a leading name in the e-commerce industry since its inception in 1999 and headquartered in Florence, has announced its plans to close its Milan office. This decision will directly impact 22 employees who will need to relocate to the company’s main facility in Florence as part of a broader reorganization strategy aimed at streamlining business operations amid ongoing financial challenges.
CEO Tommaso Maria Andorlini outlined that the closure stems from the assessment that the Milan unit was nonstrategic and had disrupted the company’s culture and operational efficiency. By centralizing teams at the Florence headquarters, the company aims to improve cohesion among employees, accelerate decision-making processes, and strengthen its organizational culture.
The employees currently based in Milan will be reassigned within the company, taking into account their individual skills and circumstances. Importantly, there are presently no plans for layoffs or redundancies, as the company has committed to providing ongoing support for those transitioning.
To address the impending changes and discuss employment strategies, Andorlini will hold discussions with trade unions. As part of this meeting, he is expected to present a comprehensive workforce plan that may include the implementation of “cassa integrazione,” a state-supported wage initiative aimed at assisting companies in financial distress.
Despite reporting sales of €310 million in 2024, LuisaViaRoma is currently grappling with a debt of €30 million. The company recently completed a successful capital increase; however, the specific details regarding this financial maneuver were not disclosed.
Andorlini has dismissed rumors about the company potentially entering a court-mediated creditor composition process, although he acknowledged that negotiations with financial creditors are still ongoing. The company also opened its second brick-and-mortar store in New York’s NoHo district in July 2024, which has quickly become its largest market, demonstrating significant double-digit growth.
Nonetheless, LuisaViaRoma has faced challenges in the U.S. market since March 2025, attributed to recent geopolitical instability and consumer confidence issues. Compounding these difficulties is the looming threat of proposed tariffs on imported goods, which could reach as high as 30%, potentially affecting the company’s U.S. business operations.
The CEO has indicated a growing disconnect between product pricing and consumer perceptions of value, further complicating the current market’s uncertainties. In response to these trends, LuisaViaRoma is working to align its offerings and brand mix with consumers’ increasing demand for sustainability and social responsibility.
The company’s strategic direction includes a focus on promoting brands that resonate with its discerning clientele’s values. Additionally, LuisaViaRoma is collaborating with Camera Buyer Italia to establish a multistore online destination, set to launch later this year, as part of its efforts to adapt to evolving market conditions and consumer preferences.
Founded in 1929 by Luisa Jaquin, the grandmother of current president Andrea Panconesi, LuisaViaRoma has a rich history in fashion retail. In 2021, the company underwent a significant structural change when Style Capital acquired a 40% stake in LuisaViaRoma for €130 million, leading to the appointment of Andorlini as CEO, replacing Alessandra Rossi.
The current phase of reorganization and adaptation reflects LuisaViaRoma’s commitment to not only survive but thrive in a changing economic landscape while continuing to provide value to its clientele.
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