Aeffe, the Italian fashion group behind Moschino, Alberta Ferretti, Philosophy and Pollini, has confirmed 221 layoffs out of a workforce of around 540 as part of an ongoing restructuring. Modaes reports that the cuts, which were due to be implemented before Christmas 2025, follow a sharp deterioration in financial performance, with first-half sales falling 27.6% year-on-year to €102.8 million and EBITDA sliding to a loss of €11.24 million.
The company has entered “composizione negoziata della crisi”, a court-supervised pre-bankruptcy process that currently applies to Aeffe and Pollini, but excludes Moschino and Alberta Ferretti. Of the planned redundancies, 81 will affect its Romagna operation and 141 in Milan, prompting intervention by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, which are now working with Aeffe and trade unions. An independent expert, Riccardo Ranalli, has been appointed to oversee the process, as Aeffe seeks to preserve assets and ensure business continuity. The group has cited the wider luxury downturn as a key factor behind its results.
Separately, furniture maker and retailer Natuzzi has announced 479 redundancies and the closure of two production sites in Puglia— Graviscella in Altamura and Jesce 2 in Santeramo. This was confirmed under its 2026-28 industrial plan, also presented at the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy. According to a Eurofound factsheet, trade unions (FenealUIL, Filca-CISL, Fillea-CGIL, Filcams CGIL, Fisascat CISL and Uiltucs) have unanimously rejected the proposal, calling it unacceptable after more than two decades of social safety nets and substantial public funding.
Union representatives argued that the plan lacks sufficient investment, employment safeguards and long-term industrial vision, and criticised the removal of previously planned internalisation of Romanian production. They are demanding a substantial revision of the plan, voluntary exit schemes for workers nearing retirement, and the establishment of a permanent steering committee. Unions have also blocked machinery relocations or irreversible decisions ahead of further ministerial talks, while the Puglia region has proposed reopening a regional discussion table.
Together, the announcements underscore the mounting employment strain facing Italy’s leather, fashion and furniture manufacturing ecosystem, as companies grapple with weak demand, restructuring pressures and the challenge of balancing industrial survival with workforce protection.
