Denizens are also among the fastest-growing consumers of jewelry and other luxury goods.

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Now, it's looking to infiltrate the European -- and eventually the U.S. -- markets with its own named stores selling an unique, expensive brand of perfume, and other luxury goods, for the body and the home.

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According to the Indictment, Baxter used his ill-gotten gains to buy jewelry, cars, extravagant international travel, and other personal luxury goods and services.

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But it also produces under license for Chanel, Prada, Bulgari and other luxury-goods firms.

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Fossil, a seller of high-end watches, handbags and belts, competes with other luxury goods companies like Ralph Lauren, PVH Corp.

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Electronic items, apparel, luxury goods and other items from large Internet retailers constitute a significant portion of total holiday shipping volumes.

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Since then, Italian tax authorities have organized numerous other, less publicized raids in Rome, Milan, Florence and at other high-end resorts renowned for their concentration of luxury goods.

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That lack of brand awareness is a huge obstacle in a land where luxury consumers tend to embrace well-grooved narratives about premium goods and leave little room for other story lines.

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