Lotto sets up shop in Hong Kong

Hong Kong - As part of Lotto's retail strategy to expand its foothold in Asia, the sportswear brand has flown Italian football star Luca Toni, who won the FIFA World Cup 2006, for the recent official opening of its first football concept shop in Mongkok, Hong Kong.

Luca Tomat, business unit director Asia Pacific for Lotto Sport Italia said the company chose to be present in Hong Kong with the launch of its first concept shop as it aims to become one of the top three soccer and tennis brands within the next three years in Hong Kong and China.  

"Besides having a population of eight million consumers, including a huge number of football fans, Hong Kong is an extraordinary tourist and shopping hub that attracts millions of visitors every year, especially from Mainland China. It's therefore a fantastic showcase for our products," Tomat said.

For the opening ceremony of the concept shop, Lotto has invited football star Luca Toni, who is involved in various Lotto activities such as endorsing the Zhero football boots collection and appearing in Lotto's advertising campaigns.

Tomat said, "Luca Toni is a perfect spokesman for Lotto, because he exemplifies our brand values of advanced technology matched with unmistakable Italian style, as well as enthusiasm, dedication, professionalism and charisma. In fact, our partnership with him highlights and promotes the essence of Italian football worldwide".

As Asia is a key market for Lotto, the company recently established a joint-venture company to oversee the distribution of its products in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China including establishing a wholly owned subsidiary in Hong Kong to oversee the sourcing, production, planning and R&D of its apparel and accessories collections.

Lotto recently opened offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing to oversee both the sales and marketing as well as in the areas of sourcing, R&D and logistics.  The company also sponsored the Shen Yan Jin De football team last year and its Zhero soccer boot collection received the "Best Sporting Goods Award" from the China Sporting Goods Federation.