UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

March 17, 2009

COMMISSION FILE NO. 1 - 10421

LUXOTTICA GROUP S.p.A.

VIA C. CANTÙ 2, MILAN, 20123 ITALY
(Address of principal executive office)

Set forth below is the text of a press release issued on March 12, 2009.

For fiscal year 2008 for the first time Luxottica’s consolidated net sales top Euro 5 billion

In 2008 the Group further strengthened its equity structure and optimized costs to best position itself to take advantage of future opportunities

Milan, Italy, March 12, 2009 - The Board of Directors of Luxottica Group S.p.A. (MTA: LUX; NYSE: LUX), a global leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of fashion, luxury and sports eyewear, approved today its consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2008 in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), certain figures of which were already announced through a broadly disseminated press release issued on February 5, 2009.

Fiscal Year 2008(1), according to U.S. GAAP

1

Fourth quarter of 2008(1), according to U.S. GAAP

“We closed 2008, a particularly challenging year, with all-time high consolidated sales of over €5 billion, net income of nearly Euro 400 million and free cash flow of Euro 300 million,” said Andrea Guerra, CEO of Luxottica Group. “We successfully completed the first full year of working with Oakley and laid the foundation for Luxottica’s long-term growth, even through a period as difficult as the one we are now facing,”.

For Luxottica, 2008 was characterized by three factors: the first year of integration with Oakley, the depreciation of the U.S. Dollar and other currencies used by the Group against the Euro, the drastic contraction first of the U.S. market and then of the European market.

Luxottica has reacted to this situation with all the flexibility and efficacy of its integrated business model, which enabled it to continue to generate significant free cash flow(2) generation (Euro 302 million for fiscal 2008). In particular, Luxottica benefited from the merger with Oakley, from ongoing investments (around Euro 300 million over the course of the year) and measures to boost sales and improve efficiency from which the Group expects to reap significant advantages in the coming quarters. Such measures will also allow Luxottica to further strengthen its equity structure and optimize costs to be in a position to take advantage of new opportunities.

“We have already implemented a series of measures that will enable us to rapidly and flexibly adapt to the new environment and that will both contribute to boosting sales and streamline our cost structure across all divisions and geographic regions,” continued Mr. Guerra. “We are working hard to optimize our working capital and balance sheet to

2

maintain our ability to generate excellent cash flow levels, even in the present situation, enabling us to take advantage of opportunities that may arise. We are also rapidly adapting our manufacturing, distribution and sales capacity to the new needs of the market.”

Actions for 2009

The year 2009 promises to be a demanding one, especially in the first and second quarters. The comparison with 2008 will be challenging because of the structural adjustments that the market is undergoing. The first half of the year will see the completion of most of the measures that are enabling the Group to more effectively adapt to a changing market and to be best positioned for the future.

SALES

–                After posting its sixth consecutive year of double-digit growth, in 2009 Ray-Ban will continue to be the world’s leading eyewear brand thanks to, among other things, the success of its many iconic models, an improvement in the sales mix, acceleration in the prescription segment and the launch of collections that are particularly innovative in both design and materials (for example, Ray-Ban Tech).

–                In 2009, Luxottica benefits from the second full year of the integration with Oakley, further synergies between the two structures and the yet-to-be-fully-recognized potential of Oakley in Europe and emerging markets. The brand is expected to continue to grow significantly also in 2009, thanks to the launch of new models in the sports and high-performance segments, further development of optical and women’s collections and an exclusive sun lens technology, one of the best available in the market today, that has the potential to generate strong synergies at Group level. The innovative Jawbone model, to be launched in the next few weeks, is expected to contribute significantly to the brand’s continuing success.

–                Regarding other projects, 2009 is an important year for REVO. This brand’s manufacturing and distribution in the sports channel are now managed by Oakley.

–                On the premium and luxury front, the Group is rolling out numerous projects, collections and special editions to attract customers less inclined to make purchases at this time.

–                Increased priority is being given to the more resilient prescription business, where Luxottica is looking to grow in terms of market penetration, client service and breadth of offering. Here the launch of the Prada Linea Rossa Vista collection will be an important contributor.

–                Particular care is going into the selection of the product offerings by geographic region and type of customer, so that commercial strategies are even more aligned with  local needs. The approach to key clients will be made more effective to capitalize on the entire brand portfolio, with activities planned over increasingly longer periods and with investments in the potential of individual clients.

–                Building on the past three years of success, the STARS program will be continued. Its goal is to reach over 1,000 clients and to establish even stronger relationships of trust with an important category of clients.

–                In the retail division, after the entry into Thailand and India, the Group will consider new opportunities in emerging markets as well as premium locations that might become available even in the mature markets. In North America, the Group will continue to pursue a strategy of segmentation and differentiation in the approach to consumers by retail brand, to optimize the potential of each brand and attract new

3

consumers. Particularly relevant in this context will be LensCrafters, which is working to further strengthen its status of America’s leading optical brand by leveraging its values of excellence in service and breadth of offering.

MEASURES TO BOOST EFFICIENCY AND OPTIMIZE EQUITY STRUCTURE

–                After having rapidly completed the complex process of adjusting manufacturing capacity, in 2009 the Group will continue to drive the optimization of its working capital and balance sheet. In particular, the goal is to reduce inventories by approximately 10% to 15%, to see a significant improvement in the entire supply chain and to revise commercial terms with around 80% of suppliers.

–                New investments, which in 2009 will be just under Euro 200 million, will be carefully selected and focus on high value-added IT and supply chain projects.

–                There will be a strong focus on containing all expenses, at both the operating level and in the commercial areas. The brand portfolio and the international sales structure will be further optimized. Additionally. advertising spending will be cut in order to strengthen product promotion in the field.

–                The Group plans to optimize its global retail network, resulting in a 2% to 3% reduction in store numbers worldwide.

Luxottica expects to benefit from changing euro/dollar exchange rates in 2009 but is also looking intently at other currencies which have different impacts on sales performance and profitability.

The performance of the Group in 2008

In 2008, consolidated net sales rose at sustained rates, increasing by 10.7% at constant exchange rates (by 4.7% at current exchange rates), thus passing the Euro 5 billion mark for the first time in the history of the Group (Euro 5,201.6 million, compared with Euro 4,966.1 million for fiscal year 2007). This was mainly due to the contribution made by Oakley sales. Pro forma consolidated net sales(5) at constant exchange rates, on the other hand, were substantially unchanged (down 0.8%).

In the fourth quarter of 2008, overall demand contracted significantly, resulting in a reduction in margins for both the retail and wholesale divisions: sharp and sudden declines in sales have an immediate impact on operating margins, especially for the Retail division. At the same time, during the fourth quarter the Group took a number of significant steps within its manufacturing and logistics operations, which are contributing to returning the Group’s balance sheet to its optimal status. The Group’s net sales for the fourth quarter were Euro 1,236.5 million, compared with Euro 1,188.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2007 (unchanged at constant exchange rates, up by 4% at current exchange rates), while pro forma net sales(5) were down by 5.5% at constant exchange rates.

Regarding operating performance, EBITDA(2) for the year decreased slightly (by 3%(3) to Euro 1,014.7 million for 2008, from Euro 1,046.1(3) million for the previous year). On a pro forma basis(5), EBITDA margin(2) declined by 120 bps(3) to 19.5%, from 20.7%(3) for fiscal 2007. In the fourth quarter, EBITDA(2) declined by 13.7% to Euro 186.1 million, from Euro 215.7 million for the same period the previous year.

4

Operating income for the year was Euro 749.8 million, compared with Euro 813.3(3) million for the previous year (reflecting a decline by 7.8%(3)). On a pro forma basis(5), the Group’s operating margin for the full year was 14.4%, compared with 15.5%(3) for 2007 (down by 110 bps(3)). For the fourth quarter, operating income was Euro 117.4 million, reflecting a 22.6% decline from Euro 151.7 million for the same period the previous year.

Net income for fiscal year 2008 was Euro 395.0(4) million (Euro 479.2(3) million in 2007, reflecting a 17.6%(3),(4) decline from the previous year), with earnings per share (EPS) of Euro 0.87(4) (at an average Euro/U.S. Dollar exchange rate of 1.47). On a comparable basis, i.e. considering EPS in U.S. Dollars before trademark amortization(2), the decrease would have been limited to 9.2%(3),(4). The change was almost entirely due to greater financial charges than in the previous year in connection with the Oakley transaction and to exchange rate fluctuations.

The EPS figure does not include an extraordinary capital loss of Euro 15 million net of taxes (equivalent to approximately Euro 0.03 per share) due to the write-off of debt related to the sale of the Things Remembered retail chain in September 2006.

Strong cash flow generation enabled the Group to reduce its net debt(2). Due to the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, however, the Group’s net debt(2) at December 31, 2008 stood at Euro 2,949.5 million (compared with Euro 2,871.8 million at December 31, 2007). Thanks to tight controls on working capital, the net debt/EBITDA ratio(2) was 2.9 (2.8 net of the effect of exchange rate fluctuations, in line with the previous year’s level).

§

Luxottica Group’s Board of Directors today voted to call the Ordinary Meeting of Shareholders for April 29, 2009 (on first call) and April 30, 2009 (on second call) to approve the Group’s financial statements for fiscal year 2008. To further strengthen the Group’s equity structure and have sufficient resources to be able to capitalize on new opportunities that arise, the Board deemed it not appropriate to propose to shareholders, for the time being, the payment of a dividend for fiscal year 2008, while deciding to defer the matter to a possible shareholders’ meeting to be called in the second half of 2009.

§

Results for fiscal year 2008 will be discussed tomorrow, Friday, March 13, during the course of a presentation to the financial community starting at 9:30 AM GMT in London. The presentation will be available to all via live webcast at www.luxottica.com.

The officer responsible for preparing the company’s financial reports, Enrico Cavatorta, declares, pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 154-bis of the Consolidated Law on Finance, that the accounting information contained in this press release corresponds to the document results, books and accounting records.

5

www.luxottica.com

(1)         All comparisons, including percentage changes, are between the three-month and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

(2)         EBITDA, pro forma EBITDA, EBITDA margin, free cash flow, net debt, the ratio of net debt to pro forma EBITDA and EPS before trademark amortization are all non-U.S. GAAP measures. For additional disclosure regarding such measures, please refer to the tables attached.

(3)         This excludes an extraordinary item arising from the transfer of real estate in 2Q07 (approximately €20 million pre-tax and €13 million after tax).

(4)         This excludes an extraordinary capital loss of €15 million net of tax (approximately €0.03 per share) due to the write-off of a credit related to the sale of the Things Remembered retail chain in September 2006.

(5)         Pro forma data reflects the inclusion of results by Oakley, Inc., a subsidiary that was acquired in November 2007, as if it had been acquired on January 1, 2007.

(6)         Comparable store sales reflect the change in sales from one period to another that, for comparison purposes, includes in the calculation only stores open in the more recent period that also were open during the comparable period in the same geographic area, and applies to both periods the average exchange rate for the prior period.

Luxottica Group is a global leader in premium fashion, luxury and sports eyewear, with over 6,250 optical and sun retail stores in North America, Asia-Pacific, China, South Africa and Europe and a strong and well balanced brand portfolio. Luxottica’s key house brands include Ray-Ban, the best known sun eyewear brand in the world, Oakley, Vogue, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Arnette and REVO, while license brands include Bvlgari, Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tiffany and Versace. In addition to a global wholesale network covering 130 countries, the Group manages leading retail brands such as LensCrafters and Pearle Vision in North America, OPSM and Laubman & Pank in Australasia, LensCrafters in Greater China and Sunglass Hut globally. The Group’s products are designed and manufactured in six Italy-based manufacturing plants and in two wholly-owned plants in China. In 2008, Luxottica Group posted consolidated net sales of €5.2 billion. Additional information on the Group is available at www.luxottica.com.

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially

6

from those which are anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability to successfully integrate Oakley’s operations, the ability to realize expected synergies from the merger with Oakley, the ability to successfully introduce and market new products, the ability to maintain an efficient distribution network, the ability to manage the effect of the poor current global economic conditions on our business and predict future economic conditions and changes in consumer preferences, the ability to achieve and manage growth, the ability to negotiate and maintain favorable license arrangements, the availability of correction alternatives to prescription eyeglasses, fluctuations in exchange rates, the ability to effectively integrate other recently acquired businesses, as well as other political, economic and technological factors and other risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update them.

 - TABLES AND APPENDIX TO FOLLOW -

7

LUXOTTICA GROUP

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND DECEMBER 31, 2007

KEY FIGURES IN THOUSANDS OF EURO (3)

KEY FIGURES IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS (1) (3)

8

LUXOTTICA GROUP

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND DECEMBER 31, 2007

KEY FIGURES IN THOUSANDS OF EURO (3)

KEY FIGURES IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS (1) (3)

9

LUXOTTICA GROUP

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND DECEMBER 31, 2007

10

LUXOTTICA GROUP

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND DECEMBER 31, 2007

11

LUXOTTICA GROUP

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND DECEMBER 31, 2007

12

LUXOTTICA GROUP

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND DECEMBER 31, 2007

- SEGMENTAL INFORMATION -

13

LUXOTTICA GROUP

RECONCILIATION OF THE CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH US GAAP AND IAS / IFRS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008