Higher demand from its Asian market has helped pushed sales of Prada Spa by as much as 37 per cent in the first six months of 2012.

In a statement on Monday, the company revealed sales in the six months ended July 31 jumped 37 per cent to 1.55 billion euro ($1.92 billion), from 1.13 billion euro a year ago, beating Bloomberg's analyst estimates of .5 billion euro of sales.

Sales of the Italian fashion company that owns the Miu Miu and Church's brands were boosted by tourists' purchases, accounting for over 50 per cent over what was sold in the U.S. and Europe, according to a note by Barclays Plc Hong Kong analyst Candy Huang.

Total sales, on the other hand, were lifted by purchases in Asia, primarily from Greater China, by as much as 60 per cent.

Its directly managed stores registered a 19 per cent sales growth during the period, according to the company statement. Overall, in the first half of 2012, income jumped 37 per cent in Europe, 31 per cent in the Americas, and 45 per cent in Asia-Pacific, excluding Japan.

"Prada Spa remains our preferred name given its pricing power, strong branding and product initiatives," Ms Huang wrote in the note. "While selected luxury goods reported mild slowdown in certain regions during the last quarter, Prada Spa has not noticed any material slowdown globally."

The company has lower store penetration compared with its competitors, giving it a lot of potential to expand, she added.

Shares of Prada Spa grew 2.48 per cent to HK$53.65 at the close of Hong Kong trading yesterday.

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