Tod’s America Announces Change: Felci Steps In as Lorenzini Steps Down

Tod’s Group finds its new leader in North America. The company has appointed Marco Felci as CEO for the region, replacing Roberto Lorenzini, who is leaving the position by mutual agreement with the Della Valle family, which owns the holding company. Felci joins from Dolce & Gabbana, where he was executive vice president, commercial.

The executive has more than two decades of experience in luxury and fashion with a focus on the American market. He began his career at Hermès in Italy and, in the United States, held leadership positions at Loro Piana, Lanvin and Versace, as well as serving as CEO of the Americas region at Etro.

“I am honored to join Tod’s Group, a benchmark of Italian excellence and craftsmanship; I will work to strengthen the presence and growth in the Americas, building on the existing foundation,“ Felci said in a statement. The appointment is part of the reorganization of the region following Lorenzini’s tenure, who joined the group in 2012 to oversee Tod’s, Roger Vivier and Fay.

The move comes after John Galantic was appointed CEO of Tod’s Group in September last year. Diego Della Valle then remained as president and Andrea Della Valle as vice president.

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With the new structure, Tod’s aims to gain commercial speed in the Americas and refine its brand positioning in a competitive environment, especially in high-end footwear and leather goods. Lorenzini’s departure was on terms agreed with the owners, according to the company.

Felci will report to the group’s top executive and will coordinate the roadmap for the brands in the region, focusing on the retail network, qualified wholesale and selective marketing.

The Americas is a strategic market, although still a minority market in Tod’s business. In 2023, sales in the region reached €85 million, 3.5% more than in 2022, and represented 7.6% of a global turnoverof €1.12 billion.

The objective is to increase traction in the United States and Canada, raise productivity per store and accelerate international customer acquisition. The company plans to build on the recognition of Tod’s and Roger Vivier in footwear and accessories, and on the reactivation of Fay in ready-to-wear categories with selective distribution.

Sales in the region accounted for 7.6% of total sales in 2023

The roadmap envisages improving the mix, strengthening key markets and maximizing operational synergies between channels. In the short term, Felci’s plan will prioritize execution focused on store, product and service, with a made in Italy discourse and craftsmanship as differential levers.

The executive will also work on partnerships with strategic wholesale and a calendar of launches focused on brand icons and lines with greater traction in the U.S. market. The company stresses that the region offers a path in terms of notoriety and network density, supported by high-end tourism and local customers in large urban hubs.