Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights the acquisition of the Italian high-end sneaker brand Golden Goose by Chinese buyer HSG, indicating continued investor interest in European brands despite a general slowdown in the luxury goods sector [1][4] - The deal values Golden Goose at slightly over €2.5 billion (approximately $2.9 billion), marking a significant increase from Permira's acquisition price of €1.3 billion in 2020, nearly doubling the company's valuation [2][3] - The transaction is one of the most notable cases of a Chinese buyer acquiring a European luxury brand and is among the largest deals in the industry this year, surpassing Prada's acquisition of Versace for approximately €1.25 billion [2] Group 2 - Permira, the London-based private equity firm, achieved substantial returns from this sale, opting for a direct sale over an initial public offering (IPO) that was planned for 2024, resulting in nearly double the investment return [3] - Golden Goose's CEO, Silvio Campara, stated that the company has generated revenues exceeding €650 million, with a strong double-digit growth rate expected this year, reflecting the brand's resilience in the luxury market [3] - The transaction underscores ongoing investor interest in European brands, as evidenced by Temasek doubling its stake in Italian fashion brand Ermenegildo Zegna to 10% earlier this year [4]