Tokyo – In the 2015 financial year, Furla – the Italian manufacturer of handbags and leather goods – reported a 30% increase in profits compared to the previous year, reaching €339 million. The continued growth – relentless for the past 5 years – exceeded that of 2014, which was already 15% more than 2013. In Japan – confirmed the Italian Trade Agency – Furla’s profits grew by 24%, exceeding for the first time 10,000 billion yen. Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region Furla’s profits also marked a 53% increase. In Italy, the recorded increase was 21%. In terms of sales by country, Japan appears to be in first place, with a 23% share of the total. In order to further promote the already strong Japanese performance, for 2016 Furla is expected to accelerate in the openings of new stores and the renovation of existing shops. (9Colonne)