Credits - Compete

Miguel Vieira
invests on the external markets
Portuguese designer Miguel Vieira who had
the honour of opening the GDS Fashion Show
last September, is preparing to invest on the
BRIC markets, especially in Angola with the
opening of a store in the capital, Luanda. The
opening is part of a reinforced strategy for the
internationalization of the brand.
“We are waiting for the opening of a new
Shopping Mall in Luanda” revealed the
designer from S. João da Madeira. 80% of his
invoicing comes from the external markets.
Brazil and Russia will be next because they are
“good consumers”, he stressed. The choice of
the external markets will be strengthened by
the opening of a store in Canada (Toronto) and
another one in Johannesburg, South Africa as
a franchisee will be next. Miguel Vieira expects
to hold a network of fi ve stores by the end of
next year.
WHAT’S
UP?
Helsar
in the Middle East
It is one of the Portuguese companies of
present times. After having manufactured
shoes for Kate Middleton’s mother and sister
for the British Royal Wedding, Helsar prepares
to set up business in the Arab countries.
“We are planning to open in the Middle East,
especially in Dubai”, revealed Patrícia Correia,
creative director at Helsar and 2nd generation
businesswoman. The creation of a bride and
groom line in 2005, allowed the company from
S. João da Madeira to broaden their horizons.
The Portuguese market is still the most
important. But this reality is changing, all the
more because Helsar collections are spread
over more than 20 countries. Soon, expansion
to Eastern countries will be a reality.
“The export market is gaining relevance, and
that is due to the fact that the domestic
Portuguese market is not going through its
best days”, Patrícia Correia revealed. In result,
Helsar has been growing and in 2010 a growth
of 8% on the turnover compared to 2009 is to
be registered.
Centenário
launches golf footwear
The focus on development and production of
golf footwear is beginning to show results for
Centenário. Established in 1941, the company
based in Oliveira de Azeméis exports nearly
its entire output to countries like Germany,
Austria, China or Japan. In the golf segment,
it is in the Italian market that stands out the
most.
In fact, executives from the Italian national golf
team saw the line of shoes from Portuguese
company Centenário at MICAM and were
impressed with the quality of the leather,
fi nishing and design. “At the Milan fair we
had a few models on display with the colours
of the Italian fl ag,” explained José Domingos.
It was not long before the President of the
Italian Golf Association contacted the company.
Today, the company’s Century brand footwear
walks on all major greens around the world.
The company recently celebrated its seventieth
anniversary. Investment in new markets is
an immediate priority for a company that
currently has 71 employees and a strong
exports outlook.