Natuzzi anticipates lower 2009 sales
Italy-based furniture group Natuzzi has predicted that the company’s sales will be 20% lower than 2008 sales.
Chairman and CEO, Pasquale Natuzzi, told Reuters that 2008 revenues totalled EUR 666 million and that year-to-date orders up to last week were down 23.2%. "If the trend stays as it is, I think we will close the year with a fall of around 20% in turnover," he said.
Orders have fallen in many regions including North America (-36.7%), the Middle East (-13.9%) and Italy (-12%).
"Our sector feels the global crisis and in particular the trend in the real estate market, but from our viewpoint I can say that the situation can only improve," said Mr Natuzzi. "I can say that the third quarter should be better than the second and the fourth will be even better. I hope that the last three months (of the year) will be in profit," he said.
