MILAN – If a sale is in the cards for Golden Goose, its current owner Permira can tout sustained momentum for the brand.
In the first nine months of the year, revenues at the Italian brand amounted to 517.1 million euros, rising 13 percent at constant exchange rates, compared with 466 million euros in the same period last year. The performance reflected another quarter of uninterrupted, profitable growth.
Direct-to-consumer revenues climbed 21 percent, accelerating in the third quarter, and representing 79 percent of the total, driven by new retail openings and double-digit like-for-like performance.
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In the nine months ended Sept. 30, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization were up 7 percent to 173.6 million euros, compared with 163 million euros, and representing a margin of 33.6 percent on sales.
Golden Goose was established in 2000, and is best known for its successful Super-Star sneakers and intentionally distressed styles, but has grown to comprise apparel and accessories. In 2020, the company was acquired by private equity fund Permira from the Carlyle Europe buyout fund.
Rumors have been swirling that Permira is looking to exit the brand, with interested parties reportedly including the Chinese fund Hongshan. There have been no updates on the potential initial public offering expected to take place in June last year and delayed at the 11th hour due to European market volatility.
“Golden Goose has had another strong quarter of double-digit growth across all our regions, demonstrating the resilience of our business model and the global resonance of our brand,” said Silvio Campara, chief executive officer of the Golden Goose Group.
“Driven by yet another step-change in DTC, we’ve delivered another quarter of uninterrupted, profitable growth. We expanded our store network with unique openings, from Tokyo to Chengdu, reignited icons such as the Super-Star with bold new voices, launched a new sneaker silhouette, and we also opened the Golden Goose Arena in Milan – a place where sport, culture, and community meet,” continued Campara.
The group’s directly operated store network reached 227 units at the end of the nine months, with 12 new openings since 2024.
In addition to Chengdu and Tokyo, where Golden Goose opened its creative hub Haus, other new stores were introduced in Hyundai Jungdong, Mumbai, Singapore Paragon, Manila, Ibiza, Paraggi, Venice Airport, Milan and Dubai.
In the nine months, the Europe, Middle East and Africa market was up 15 percent and the Americas grew 10 percent.
As of Sept. 30, the cash position stood at 92 million euros, down from 145 million euros last year.
Looking ahead, Campara said Golden Goose “is well-positioned to bring co-creation to new levels and to continue connecting with our growing Golden community. As always, my deepest thanks go to our Golden family for making it all possible.”
In November, Golden Goose unveiled a partnership with Google Pixel and Google’s Gemini AI which adds a high-tech, digital component to the co-creation program. In the Google-mediated iteration, customers have the opportunity to prompt the Gemini AI platform using Google Pixel devices, asking for ideas and suggestions on their co-created sneakers. The AI tool provides a digital rendering before Golden Goose’s artisans turn the sketch into a personalized item.
A month earlier, Campara unveiled the Golden Goose Arena in Milan, designed by Novembre Studio, the architectural firm helmed by famed designer Fabio Novembre, a longtime brand collaborator and friend. Its futuristic shape is defined by a vessel-like structure decked in mirror-finish thermoregulatory polycarbonate, with the brand’s signature half-star logo standing out on top.
The 38,000-square-foot pavilion erected in Milan’s CityLife neighborhood is aimed at fostering sports-leaning communities and features nine padel courts and immersive facilities. This project is very much in sync with the brand’s community-driven approach and follows the appointment of padel aces Marta Ortega, Juan Lebrón, and Arturo Coello as global brand ambassadors over the past year.
Other sports ambassadors that were named by Golden Goose include tennis players Jasmine Paolini and Zizou Bergs.
The brand spotlighted the Super-Star sneaker in a campaign featuring Jane Fonda, and the new True-Star with Wimbledon finalist Paolini.
The group achieved the LEED GoldTM certification for its Rome Fiumicino Airport store, marking a first for the group. It was ranked first in the global footwear sector for the second consecutive year and number five out of 187 companies in the Textiles & Apparel industry in the Sustainalytics 2025 ESG Rating.
