NUMBER 8 • OCTOBER 2016

LETTING OUR EMOTIONS SHOWFor the launch of the new brand strategy “clothes for humans”, Benetton went all out and created an emotional map collecting people's feelings. Location: three “magic” cubes placed in the heart of Milan.

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CONTROLLED ORIGINTV31100, the seamless sweater produced in exclusive in Castrette di Villorba, revealed to the international press: a tribute to the history of the brand and, at the same time, an example of innovation.

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SEARCHING FOR TALENTS

PEOPLE

Designing a collection for modern travelers: this was the challenge addressed by the company to young designers during the Mittelmoda Fashion Award.

PEOPLE'S NEEDS AT THE CORE OF THE NEW HR STRATEGY. BUT THE FOCUS, GIUSEPPE CAVATTONI EXPLAINS, REMAINS ON OBTAINING RESULTS

SMART WORKING

WE ARE BENETTON

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IN THE CITY OF LIGHTS

STORE

In Paris, in the Place de l'Opéra store, Benetton and Marie Claire hosted an event that involved the capital’s fashion world.

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Benetton and Marie Claire collaborate on an exclusive event dedicated to women's fashion

When, at the beginning of 2016, the Benetton store in Place de l'Opéra

reopened with the new On Canvas look, it promised to become a point of reference for the fashion world; a very ambitious goal, especially in a city like Paris which has always been synonymous with fashion, style and avant-garde. Eight months later, the confirmation that the path taken is the right one comes from one of the most authoritative ambassadors of the industry: Marie Claire. An authentic institution in the field of women's fashion, the monthly magazine decided to organise an exclusive event at the Parisian store precisely in collaboration with Benetton.

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Admission RestrictedOn 22 September, a private party took place which was attended by about 150 exceptional guests, including VIPs, influencers, bloggers and readers of the magazine, as well as a selection of Benetton customers, who took advantage of the opportunity to listen to advice from two Marie Claire fashion stylists. Surrounded by the store's wide selection, specially discounted for the event, the guests enjoyed a night filled with special moments.

On the notes of white tigerThe musical performance by Izzy Bizu was the highlight of the night. The English singer and composer of Ethiopian origin, well known for hits like White Tiger and Mad

PARIS IS A WOMAN

Behaviour, entertained the audience, shifting easily from pop to soul and then to jazz, an eclecticism that has made her one of the rising stars of the European scene. Her presence contributed to making the evening a very successful occasion to communicate the brand values and present the UCB Fall/Winter collection, which has recently landed in stores.

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It is emotions that unite people around the world. On the basis of this conviction, United Colors of Benetton - in collaboration with

fashion publication 192 Magazine - launched a project in September dedicated to young students of communication and graphic design at the Universidad Intercontinental in Mexico City. The project is a photographic contest dedicated specifically to the genuineness of emotions.

Capturing realityThe idea behind the contest is the same as that underlying the "clothes for humans" philosophy: every morning, each one of us decides what to wear according to our mood and the activities we expect to engage in during the day. Starting from here, the students of the University

were invited to conceive and take a photograph centered precisely on the emotions of everyday life, letting themselves be inspired by the aesthetics of 192 Magazine in their efforts to immortalize moments of everyday authenticity.

The future of MexicoThe project culminated on 29 September with an exhibition staged at the Benetton store in the Perisur shopping center in the south of the Mexican capital; the five shots judged the best will be published in the Spring/Summer 2017 edition of 192 Magazine. In this way, Benetton continues the attention it is

EMOTION HAS NO BOUNDARIES

There are locations that, due to their historical and artistic importance, are not like others. Undoubtedly, the historical centre of Prague is

one of them. On the one hand there is Wenceslas Square, called the "little Champs-Élysées" by its inhabitants due to its very "Parisian" look; on the other there is Republic Square, located by the fortification that once separated the Old City from the New. In the middle, on Na Prikope street, the Benetton store is the first in the Czech Republic to "dress" in the new On Canvas format.

Autumn newsThe brand continues its expansion in many European capitals, particularly those in the East. The opening of the Prague store comes just in time for the launch of the AW UCB 2016 collection, defined by its three pillars Dress Up, Dress Down and Dress to Move, and characterised - as always - by a rich palette of colours in classic Benetton style. On 22 September the Prague store hosted at a fashion show presenting the collection which saw the participation of many influencers, fashion bloggers and members of the press. Like all On Canvas stores, this new opening will respect the format that consumers have come to appreciate, created around the element of the loom and designed to mesh modernity with tradition.

On Canvas makes its debut in the Czech Republic: 570 square meters on one of the capital's liveliest and most charming streets

PRAGUE: THE STORY IS HERE

On the occasion of the Mexico City On Canvas store's inauguration, Benetton and 192 Magazine launch a photography project aimed at students

dedicating to Mexican students, five months after the launch of the 'Tejiendo Futuro’ project, another contest focused - in this case - on the ways in which color is intertwined with the urban fabric.

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ITALIAN FACTORY

Some articles of clothing take on an importance far beyond their aesthetic value because they arrive at a particular moment in the life of a company or because they carry with them a special meaning. This is the case with the latest Benetton branded sweater whose name itself - TV31100, the postal code of Treviso - reveals its uniqueness: that it is actually produced in the historical site of Castrette di Villorba, in a specially-developed facility dedicated to its production.

All the DNA of BenettonThere is a lot of the original brand identity in this project: manufacturing tradition, colour, high quality and especially the "made in Italy" stamp. Is this a return to the origins? Yes, certainly, but updated for the times, thanks to the use of seamless, stitch-free technology that eliminates any point of friction between the sweater and skin, ensuring total comfort. Not to mention environmental sustainability, guaranteed by the Whole Garment Technology process, which prevents any wastage of wool.

An example of innovationThe result? A perfect sweater for men and women, featuring

quality yarn (90% merino wool and 10% cashmere)

and a range of clean and versatile colours which you can wear on a thousand different occasions: as an elegant underjacket, over ripped jeans, with a pencil skirt or under a coat... Available from October in limited edition, TV31100 demonstrates the brand's success in

getting back to its roots without losing

sight of the world of fashion.

THE TV31100 SWEATER IS THE RESULT OF AN ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT AREA CREATED WITHIN THE TREVISO PRODUCTION SITES: AN INNOVATION PROJECT IN LINE WITH THE BRAND'S HISTORY

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The curtain risesAnd the world of fashion has shown its appreciation. The sweater was actually unveiled in a preview before the Italian and international press on 10 October in Castrette in what was - rather than a traditional presentation - an unusual behind-the-

scenes journey which revealed how a sweater is created, from its conception to its style and its development, the technical aspects and finally its production, packaging and logistics. Satish Tailor, Alberto Bortoletto, Andrea Bressan and Daniele Fregnan accompanied the guests along this journey, explaining the various aspects of the project, from the genesis of the sweater to its strengths and our expertise, including the more technical aspects of production and logistics.

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People's feelings were at the centre of a unique interactive experience, organised to support the launch of "clothes for humans"

Three cubes set up in Piazza XXV Aprile, in the beating heart of Milan, the capital of international fashion,

attempted to "capture" people's emotions. The cubes drew in some 2,000 citizens, tourists and passers-by during Milan Fashion Week, on 23-25 September, marking a successful experiment for UCB.

An emotional mapBy going inside the three interactive cubes - which are part of the communication campaign for the launch of the "clothes for humans" brand strategy - people were able to express their emotions and share them with the rest of the city, as they were broadcast on the three structures' external displays. The result? An emotional "map" which revealed people's state of mind. The majority of participants said they felt happy (40%), followed by those who felt creative (30%), brave (20%) and thoughtful (10%). The average age of people who laid bare their emotions was 28 years.

Via SnapchatThe occasion also marked the official debut of Benetton's Snapchat channel, @benetton.com. This will continue to offer "real" content,

EMOTION CUBED

R ome's Outdoor Festival reaches its seventh edition and, as they say on these occasions, Sisley will be there. The brand is actually one of

the sponsors of the festival of art and contemporary culture that has been bringing international trends to the Capital since 2010 (as well as a growing number of visitors). Musical performances, cinema, creativity and innovation: the events that take place every year at the former barracks "Ex Caserma Guido Reni" cater for all tastes and make the Outdoor an exceptional place of intergenerational encounters.It is thus not unusual for Sisley to consider using this event to consolidate its presence in Rome. Among the activities developed for this edition are the Sisley Black Card (which gives a discount on some shows), an installation by the artist Rub Kandy and a special DJ aperitif on the evening of Thursday,

6 October - during which Sisley was active on Snapchat (with the help of a blogger) and on Instagram - which served to give a taste of the big final party scheduled for 6 November. The brand will however be present throughout the month, thanks to five influencers participating in the various festival events dressed in Sisley clothes.

ART AND CULTURE: SISLEY IS THERE

exclusive to the brand from a new point of view. Italian-French fashion influencer, Tess Masazza - who on the web tells of the small daily dramas of the female world in an ironic and funny way - was called upon to provide the best possible

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launch on this new social network. Her presence was also important for sharing the emotions of the people who participated in the project on social networks. The new philosophy "clothes for humans" is also this.

PARTNERSHIP

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GIUSEPPE CAVATTONI

LESS CONTROL, MORE TRUST AND RESULTSAccording to the global HR director, empowering people is the key to the company's new approach, which will culminate in the smart working programme: «More flexible hours and remote working possibilities»

When you talk with Giuseppe Cavattoni (Beppe, as everyone in

the company calls him), there are certain words that are best avoided if you don't want to get a good-natured reproach. «Employees? What an ugly word, more suitable to expressing pathological situations, it's much better to just call them people». And watch the sparks fly if you mention the word "power": «My job is not to manage power, but put myself in people's shoes». It is no coincidence, then, that the Human Capital management strategy focusing on People Care bears his signature.

Beppe, to start please tell us about yourself.«I must immediately confess that in my youth, when I was studying Economics and Commerce, I had no interest in fashion; so much so that I declined the first job offer I received, from the Marzotto Group. I was not

could introduce an innovative strategy based on people's welfare and social sustainability: fundamental elements of Benetton's DNA».

What was your first impression of the company?«As in all companies, the scope of action and intervention strategy consolidate and settle over time. Initially our scope was concentrated on the Headquarters, but then our strategy had to be structured differently, also because of the fact that in the meantime, the company underwent a transformation that put the shops and the consumers at the centre of its focus».

In these six years, which projects have given you the most satisfaction?«I would start with this transformation, which for us was a big challenge, the kind that's really hard but eventually gives you a lot of satisfaction: we are

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born into any trade, and I had to build my own path from scratch. At that time it was standard for companies to hire new graduates, and so in little time I wound up in Human Resources: with some reluctance in the beginning, but my passion for the field grew over time. I eventually managed Human Resources for many important companies: Marzotto - yes, the same company that I had initially refused -, Zoppas, Hugo Boss, Coin and finally Gucci, where I stayed five years».

Is that when Benetton contacted you?«Yes, and it was an easy decision to make. In fact, for those who were young in the Eighties, this company is not like others, and not only from a business point of view: its campaigns on the value of diversity, in favour of social justice and on major environmental issues had inspired me for two decades. I came to Benetton with the feeling that I

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VOICES

building a global people management system that will also reache inside our shops. Meanwhile, All in One, the international community of our HR managers in various countries, helped broaden our horizons. Together, especially during our Town Hall meetings, we talk about global people strategy and define action plans. For shop personnel, for example, we re-built professional development paths from scratch, creating a system for valuing people called Growing Up and offering training courses (In Store Up and In Store Academy). At the other end, at headquarters, we implemented the people care initiatives Benetton per Te and the programme Performing Up, dedicated to performance management and spreading a culture oriented to results. And then there's smart working, which will soon be launched».

Can you tell us more? We only know that it is an innovation that promises to let people work differently...«Yes, but in reality it is not that revolutionary: it is a step that many large companies have already taken, with such significant results that no one goes back to their previous setup. We want to spread a culture that is increasingly less based on control and more and more oriented to results and trust, with the goal of elevating our people's performance. Besides, we must always keep our company's history in mind: visionary and always attentive to people. Working at Benetton also means being this fortunate. Specifically, the project is divided into two areas: Stretch your Time (launched at the beginning of October), which consists in streamlining the clocking in and out system and giving greater flexibility to work start and stop times in order to better meet our people's actual needs; and Stretch your Space, which will begin in November and introduce the option to work remotely up to one day a week. For the moment, Stretch your Space will be offered to HR, Industrial Relations, IT and Sisley. The goal, however, is to also gradually expand it to other areas».

How did you reach this decision?«I want to emphasize that this is not a leap in the dark. We began to think about smart working a year ago. From there, we began intensive research with the support of Partners for Innovation (Polytechnic University of Milan). The feasibility study included a comparison with businesses similar to ours (one example is Barilla), without forgetting who we are. As we studied the subject more in-depth, we became convinced that it was an essential step in order to remain attractive and competitive, both in the labour market and in business. There's also the generational factor: we can't ignore the technological innovations that now form our daily experiences, or the fact that many new hires are Millennials. If we want to keep abreast of the times and attract these young talented individuals, we have to adjust: suffice it to say that candidates who send us their CVs consider smart working one of the variables that will affect their choice. Without forgetting the theme of people care: smart working combines business needs with people's needs».

Have you encountered any resistance?«Very little, even if change inherently always brings a little bit of resistance with it: it's human nature. I have no qualms stating that in this case any ideological resistance is unfounded, as the data speaks for themselves: 50% of large companies already apply this model, and almost all of them do not want to go back, because they have understood that

it increases productivity. Neither managers nor their people want to give up smart working after having tried it. Remember that hilarious scene where the accountant Fantozzi (famous Italian character) tragically and hilariously overcomes a thousand obstacles to punch his card on time, then stumbles through the rest of his day?».

Obviously yes: it was the classic example of a company that was all form and no substance.«Exactly, we're trying to overturn that paradigm. We must free ourselves from the idea of a company that is content to formally verify the physical presence of people, and usher in a less anachronistic mode of relating with employees based on an 'adult' relationship of trust and responsibility».

And how do you get results like this?«I know only one way: being lucky enough to work in a team made up of exceptional people. Credit for everything we have accomplished and for everything we are doing goes to my team: they are the main source of inspiration and they are the ones who transform ideas into projects and projects into reality».

What's your secret for achieving results?«Positivity. Which does not mean ignoring the difficult times we are in, but facing them with awareness, and innovative solutions and the conviction that we can succeed».

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At the 23rd edition of the Mittelmoda Fashion Award, Benetton awarded two designers and soon

these new "recruits" will be with us in Ponzano. Young designers from more than 60 countries who participated in the event submitted over 800 portfolios. In the end only 24 were left, and their collections were paraded in Milan on 8 September.

Travelers dress BenettonIn May Benetton, one of the main protagonists of the final day, launched Design for Travel, a challenge addressed to young designers that

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invited them to design a collection for non-seasonal modern travelers. Francesca Chicaro and Milena Nardi from our TA&Recruiting team awarded the collections that best reinterpreted our brand identity (colour and sustainability were among the requirements), and were the most innovative. Shortly therefore, the two winning designers will be joining us. They are emerging Colombian designer David Cabra (awarded with a one-year employment contract), and the promising young Dutch Laudy Verschuren, who will do a six-month internship at our style office.

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Benetton among the sponsors of the Mittelmoda Fashion Award

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AN EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING FOR INDIA

Product training on the "clothes for humans" concept in India - which took place over the July-September period - was a real experience for all involved, thanks also to the active involvement of the HR Training & Development Team along with the India creative director.The workshops, which took place in more than 80 cities and trained more than 250 store managers, were based on a high level involvement of the participants through activities like putting up collages of the new collection, divided by category (Dress Up, Dress Down and Dress to Move). There were also mannequin dressing competitions and sales simulations using the 10 Golden Rules principles.The distinctive element of these activities was their ability to communicate the "clothes for humans" brand strategy through real-life store scenarios.

MORE THAN 2000 TRAINING HOURS ON “CLOTHES FOR HUMANS”

TOUCH-READY OUTFITSNEW APP IMPLEMENTATION IN RUSSIA

“Do you have this jacket in the L size?” “No, but you can try on this Jacquard sweater

in Trip to colors theme!” This conversation could happen in any one of our Russian stores where the Mercaux application was launched last month. The App, implemented on iPad and iPod devices in the Russian stores, simplifies the sales staff's work by supporting them in customer service.With a simple touch of the screen, our Russian sales assistants can verify - in real

time - the garments and the assortment available in the stores as well as suggest alternative models. Following the success of the first phase of testing, the implementation continued involving all the DOS stores in the country and was supported with training sessions.The implementation was very successful thanks not only to the store staffs' enthusiasm; sales data did their bit, too: in stores where the App is in use, sales increased.

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IDENTITY

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On 5 October, Benetton Group presented its Women Empowerment Program at the CSR Fair in Milan

“If God had not made woman, He wouldn't have made the flower either", the French

writer Victor Hugo once said. But this flower's life isn't always easy; it must be defended and protected so that it is guaranteed a dignified life. This is why Benetton Group launched the Women Empowerment Program in 2015, an initiative aimed at supporting the empowerment and legitimacy of women around the world by promoting - among other things - the right to have a dignified job in a safe environment, the fight

against discrimination and for equal opportunities, access to quality education, and the right to health care.

Women's empowermentIt is thus a real sustainability program and it was presented - not by coincidence - on 5 October, at the most anticipated event in Italy on this issue: the CSR Fair held at Bocconi University in Milan, now in its fourth edition, which focused on the theme Change, Cohesion, Competitiveness.

Benetton Group's program was presented during the event Beyond empowerment: the role of women in the development of society, coordinated by the Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper journalist Monica D'Ascenzo. In addition to fostering a debate on the issue of women's emancipation, one of the event's objectives was to highlight the projects of companies that have had the courage to invest in women and in their ability to develop skills, take on leadership roles and create new activities. Just like Benetton, in fact.

WOMEN IN THE WORLD OF TOMORROW

When we talk about "Benetton DNA", we cannot forget about the Group’s attention to the environment. On

this issue, perhaps even more than on others, the Treviso-based company was a true pioneer: just think of its Ponzano Headquarters which, during its construction in the '60s, was built according to principles – like ergonomics, efficient light use and attention to energy impact – that at the time were considered important by only a few. This commitment

CONSUME LESS, CONSUME BETTERELECTRICITY SAVING IS AMONG THE SUSTAINABILITY GOALS THE COMPANY HAS SET ITSELF, A COMMITMENT THAT STARTS AT HEADQUARTERS AND EXTENDS TO THE SHOP NETWORK.

SUSTAINABILITY

continues and is continually renewed over time: in 2015 the Group reduced the energy consumption of its Italian locations by 454,035 kWh compared to the previous year.

Everybody doing their partA remarkable achievement, made possible by an efficient redistribution of work space together with careful management and renewal of equipment that allowed for the optimization of Campus Benetton’s energy use. It’s not only the headquarters that got down to business: the energy consumption reduction programme has been extended to some selected stores, inside of which measurements to monitor consumption before and after the restyling operations were performed. Minor initiatives? Maybe, but protection of the environment also passes from here.

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PERISCOPE

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A talk with two store managers: from

Mexico to Poland, the voice of

our colleagues

STRENGTH, HONESTY, PASSION

How long have you been working for Benetton?

What do you see out of your store now?

Which is your favourite item of clothing?

And the best seller in this period?

What is your secret when you talk to a customer?

What would you like to tell to your colleague

in this page?

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BARBARA SCIESZKAStore manager - Krakow (Poland)

BEATRIZ DOMINGUEZ TORISStore manager - Antara (Mexico)

1 My store is inside the Antara Fashion Hall mall, which is surrounded by businesses and luxury stores, but also museums and art galleries. So we have customers from all over the world.

2 Two years, the most important and productive of my life: in this period I have fulfilled many personal dreams and I have grown a lot.

3 This season my favorite articles are from the Dress Down - Travel line because I love to combine comfort and style. The bestseller this season is the poncho: it has become a must-have for our female customers.

4 My secret? I always give honest advices to customers and I try to make them feel unique and different to me.

5 Dear colleague, to reach our goals we must always be positive, patient, and do our job with passion!

1 My beautiful, warm and colorful store is located in the heart of Krakow. From here you can see the most beautiful square in the world, full of tourists, carriages and violin players by day and crowded with couples by night.

2 Not so long…a little over one year. But it feels like I've been here much longer.

3 I like comfort and working at Benetton taught me how to love colors other than black and white. These days we are selling Foundation Concept knitwear in really crazy amounts

4 We build a family spirit in our store, making our customers feel special by giving them a warm welcome, a smile and creative service. This is my team's secret!

5 Remember that the credits of each success belong to the whole team. Also we have to guide our people, taking care of them and giving them strength.

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A one of a kind Benetton innovative hybrid, this jumper combines two nostalgic knitwear elements, a reworked Norwegian Strand pattern down the front with jacquard fair isle down the sleeves, to create a fresh twist on modern classics.Ashley TylerHead of UCB Design

AUTUMN WITH STYLE

CLOTHES

The jacquard pattern, the grey tones and the weave of this sweater – from the 2000 Fall/Winter collection – recalls the item that is in stores now.

The jacquard pattern, the grey tones andof this sweater – from the 2000 Fall/Wint– recalls the item that is in stores now.