Milan, August 27 27th th 2009– Gucci, one of the world's leading luxury brands, is pleased to announce the opening of three stores in fast growing markets. With these new venues, opened in rapid succession from June to August, Gucci is strengthening its position in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The Ekaterinburg store opened in June in the renowned Pokrovsky passage, the historical city centre andthe location most sought after by luxury brands. With a selling area of 456 square meters, the new storeoffers a comprehensive range of products, including handbags, small leather goods, luggage, men's wear,women's wear, shoes and jewellery. Gucci already counts three free standing stores in Russia and threecorners at the Tsum, the well-known shopping mall. The Florentine house entered the Azerbaijan market in June, with a 273 square meter store in a beautiful 19th century building in the centre of Baku. The new store offers the complete range of Gucci products. Lastly, in early August, Gucci has renewed its presence in Jeddah by relocating within the prestigious ElKhayat Commercial Center, a well-established luxury shopping mall. The new store covers 260 squaremeters and offers handbags, women's and men's accessories, shoes and jewellery. Gucci has a total of three boutiques in Saudi Arabia – in Jeddah, Riyadh and Alkhobar. All the three stores feature the unique new store design conceived by Frida Giannini, Gucci's CreativeDirector. This innovative concept, which employs open space, warm luxurious materials and natural light to spectacular effect, is a departure from traditional codified fashion retail spaces symbolising Gucci's 21st century contemporary look. Customers at these new three stores will receive an unparalleled and luxurious combination of personalservice and attention to detail that has defined the Gucci experience since Guccio Gucci opened his firststore in Florence 1921. Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world's leading luxury fashion brands. With a renowned reputation for quality and Italian craftsmanship, Gucci designs, manufactures and distributes highly desirable products such as leather goods (handbags, small leather goods, and luggage), shoes, ready-to-wear, silks, timepieces and fine jewellery. Eyewear and fragrances are manufactured and distributed under license by global industry leaders in these two sectors. Gucci products are sold exclusively through a network of directly operated boutiques (272 at June 2009) and a small number of selecteddepartment and specialty stores. GUCCI CONTACTS:Gucci Corporate CommunicationsNiccolò Moschininiccolo.moschini@it.gucci.comT +39 02 8800 53 00Simona Del Resimona.delre@it.gucci.comT +39 055 7592.21