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Tag: Bulgari

  • Laura Burdese Ascends to Bulgari’s Top Spot: A New Era Dawns for Iconic Luxury Brand

    Laura Burdese Ascends to Bulgari’s Top Spot: A New Era Dawns for Iconic Luxury Brand

    LVMH, the esteemed French luxury consortium, has announced the appointment of Laura Burdese as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the renowned Italian high jewellery brand, Bulgari. Her tenure is slated to begin in July of the coming year.

    Transition in Leadership

    Jean-Christophe Babin, who is currently serving as the CEO, will be relinquishing his role. However, he will maintain his connection with the company by continuing as Chairman of the Board, Chief of Bulgari’s hotel business unit, and President of the Bulgari Foundation.

    Burdese is not a new face at LVMH. She joined the luxury group in 2016, initially undertaking the role of CEO for the Italian fragrance brand, Acqua di Parma. She transitioned to Bulgari three years ago, taking charge of marketing and communications. Her exceptional performance led to her promotion to Deputy CEO last year.

    Honoring Excellence

    Stephane Bianchi, Group Managing Director and CEO of LVMH Watches and Jewelry, lauded the efforts of both Burdese and Babin, acknowledging their major contributions to expanding the brand. He affirmed that the appointment of Laura Burdese signals the start of a fresh chapter for Bulgari, a testament to her substantial accomplishments at the company.

    Bianchi also extended high praise to Babin, who has translated his senior leadership roles at Tag Heuer and Bulgari into over a quarter-century of success. Babin’s tenure has allowed both companies to carve out unique paths in their respective industries.

    Bianchi firmly believes in Babin’s continued influence in his new roles, expressing confidence that Babin’s vision and energy will persist in driving LVMH and its brands forward.

    Questions & Answers

    Who has been appointed as the new CEO of Bulgari?
    Laura Burdese has been appointed as the new CEO of Bulgari, effective from July of the coming year.

    What roles will the current CEO, Jean-Christophe Babin, continue to hold post-transition?
    Jean-Christophe Babin will continue as the Chairman of the Board, Chief of Bulgari’s hotel business unit, and President of the Bulgari Foundation.

    What was Laura Burdese’s role at Bulgari before her appointment as CEO?
    Laura Burdese served as the Deputy CEO of Bulgari, leading the brand’s marketing and communications.

  • Bulgari opens concept store in Tokyo’s Omotesando

    Bulgari opens concept store in Tokyo’s Omotesando

    Luxury jeweller Bulgari has opened its concept store on one of the most bustling shopping streets in Japan’s Tokyo, Omotesando.

    The store is inspired by Rome and has yellow as the dominant colour flowing throughout the store, seeking to deliver the sensation of a vacation to the Italian capital, with sunshine and great architecture.

    The store boasts a saffron-coloured facade with a variety of accessories such as necklaces, watches, and bags.

    Bulgari originally opened its doors in Japan more than 37 years ago, and in 2007, it opened its largest store in Tokyo’s famed Ginza retail district.

    The company now operates in major cities in Japan including Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Chiba, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima, Matsuyama, and Fukuoka.

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  • Bulgari enters Vietnam with a comeback

    Bulgari enters Vietnam with a comeback

    Italian luxury house Bulgari has opened its first brick-and-mortar store in Ho Chi Minh City, marking its comeback in the country.

    Spanning 194sqm, the Bulgari Vietnam store is located at Union Square shopping centre, featuring the brand’s full range of jewelry, including its famous Serpenti rings, bracelets and necklaces.

    Bulgari first entered Vietnam in 2014 via local distributor Imex Pan Pacific Group and operated until March 2019. In this comeback, the brand set up a member company named Bulgari Vietnam in the country for direct import and distribution.

    According to the brand’s spokesperson, Vietnam is considered as a potential market for the luxury sector due to stable economy and rapid growth. According to data company Statista, Vietnam’s luxury goods market is estimated to reach US$1.14 billion this year and achieve 7.17 per cent growth annually until 2025.

    “We believe this is a good time to bring the brand back to Vietnam,” said the spokesperson. “Overcoming current obstacles will help us to reach a potential customer base that in normal circumstances, they would shop our products overseas.”

    Due to the on-going Covid-19 situation in the country, the brand operated without any launching event.

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  • Bulgari E-commerce platform launched in Singapore

    Bulgari E-commerce platform launched in Singapore

    Italian jewelry firm Bulgari has launched an e-commerce platform in Singapore prior to opening online services in its home territory. Korea will soon follow.

    The luxury brand is accelerating its digital program following the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the industry, placing restrictions on the ability of shoppers to visit physical stores. It is planning to launch new online boutiques in seven countries over the next 90 days, beginning with the Singapore shop going live yesterday.

    The store features an AR function allowing shoppers to view products as they would appear in the real-world environment, as well as e-concierges and home delivery services.

    “E-commerce must be an engaging and exclusive 360-degree experience, offering the same service of excellence delivered in a Bulgari boutique,” said Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin.

    “Not to mention the complementarity of the website with the boutiques in terms of content and information.

    “With Covid-19, our e-shop has become our number-one store worldwide with a growth exceeding 100 percent and we believe it will reinforce its leading position after Covid-19, as it has been an accelerating factor.”

    Bulgari’s next e-shops are expected to launch in the UAE, Italy, France, Korea, Mexico and Brazil.

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  • Bulgari launches an Omnia Pasticceria pop-up

    Bulgari launches an Omnia Pasticceria pop-up

    Bulgari has launched an Omnia Pasticceria fragrance pop-up store at Changi Airport’s Terminal 3.

    Inspired by the Italians’ love of pasticcerie, the pop-up is designed in candy colours, decorated with cake stands and sweet treat cups.

    Travelling shoppers can experience activities such as having their portraits painted by renowned digital artist, Bertrand de Miollis, or take photos of their Omnia Pasticceria moments for a personalised postcard.

    A capsule-vending machine provides customers with a surprise treat after they purchase an Omnia fragrance.

    The collection includes four fragrances: Omnia Crystalline, Omnia Coral, Omnia Pink Sapphire and Omnia Amethyste.

    The pop-up, as a part of Bulgari’s #chooseyourtreat global campaign, will roll out to select travel retail locations worldwide later this month.

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  • Bvlgari’s cinema themed pop-up at Singapore’s ION Orchard mall

    Bvlgari’s cinema themed pop-up at Singapore’s ION Orchard mall

    High-end Italian jewellery house Bvlgari has opened a pop-up retail place this month in Singapore. Located on level one of the ION Orchard mall, the “Pop (Up) Corn” shop is decked out in saccharine pink and blinking neon lights and takes inspiration from 60s Italian theatre.

    It is also a mini-reproduction of the Italian luxury brand’s Via Condotti boutique in Rome where Hollywood icons such as Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor would shop when in town.

    Inside, the pop-up offers limited-edition Bvlgari handbags including Serpenti and Divas Dream bags in calfskin leather, as well as sparkling jewellery pieces and watches.

    The standout piece is the limited-edition matching set of a Bvlgari-Bvlgari necklace and bracelet in rose gold, which is an ION Orchard exclusive. Not to mention a series of cinema-themed objects such as glitzy popcorn boxes, rectangular ticket stubs and dazzling neon lights.

    The Pop (Up) Corn store is open now until December 31.

    The new pop-up serves as a precursor to the official store opening in ION Orchard from Bvlgari in December, joining the store in Marina Bay.

    It’s not the first time Bvlgari has opened a pop-up store in a key capital city.

    In 2017, Bvlgari opened a pop-up store inside France’s Galeries Lafayette department store on boulevard Haussmann in Paris.

    Bvlgari operates flagship stores in most Asian cities including Singapore, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Macau.

    Founded in 1884 in Rome Sotirios Voulgaris, Bvlgari is now majority-owned by French luxury conglomerate LVMH Group.

    For the first-quarter 2018, LVMH’s watches and jewellery category, which Bvlgari is a part of, witnessed 8% growth in revenue terms and 14% organic growth in the category, totaling 9.5 billion euros. Overall revenues tipped 33 billion euros for the three months ending September 30.

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  • Strong growth for LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton

    Strong growth for LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton

    LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton boosted revenues by 10 per cent to €33.1 billion in the first nine months of this year.

    Organic sales grew 11 per cent compared to the same period last year and by 13 per cent after excluding the impact of the closed DFS concessions at Hong Kong International Airport at the end of the year. Every geographic market performed well, the company said. Third quarter revenue was up 10 per cent.

    The wines & spirits business group recorded organic revenue growth of 7 per cent during the first nine months, with Champagne volumes stable and Hennessy cognac volumes increased by 4 per cent, led by the US and Chinese markets.

    The fashion & leather goods business group achieved organic revenue growth of 14 per cent and 20 per cent reported, with the flagship Louis Vuitton brand the standout performer.

    “Ready-to-wear and shoes, in particular, experienced strong momentum with an excellent reception of the last two fashion shows of womenswear and menswear,” the company said in a statement.  “A new communication for Louis Vuitton perfumes was unveiled, marking the launch of the brand’s latest perfume creation. Christian Dior, consolidated since the second half of last year, enjoyed an excellent performance.

    Celine made progress and began a new chapter in its history with the first runway show of Hedi Slimane, which was a great success and created enormous resonance. Fendi and Loro Piana continued to grow. The other brands continued to strengthen,” the company said.

    LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s perfumes & cosmetics business group recorded organic revenue growth of 14 per cent, driven in particular by the performance of its star brands Christian Dior, Guerlain and Givenchy.

    The watches & jewellery business group achieved organic revenue growth of 14 per cent, with Bulgari delivering “an excellent performance and gaining market share”.

    The selective retailing business group achieved organic revenue growth of 8 per cent in the first nine months of 2018, and 14 per cent excluding the airport concession closures in Hong Kong.

    Sephora’s organic revenue growth was strong, particularly in North America and Asia. The expansion and renovation of its distribution network is continuing with a new store concept in China and the first Sephora-branded store in Russia.

    “DFS performed well, especially in Hong Kong and Macao. The recent openings of T Galleria in Cambodia and Italy progressed well.”

    The company said that in an “uncertain geopolitical and monetary context, LVMH will continue to be vigilant” in the months ahead.

  • Bulgari’s Flagship in KL gets a Roman Makeover

    Bulgari’s Flagship in KL gets a Roman Makeover

    Bulgari Malaysia has opened a flagship store in Bukit Bintang district, Kuala Lumpur.

    Built in the same style as the Via Condotti store in Rome, the 103sqm space sees the Italian brand experimenting with new ways to convey the luxury brand’s heritage.

    The designer, Netherlands-based MVRDV, used rough concrete with resin veins to create a sense of historic Italian architecture. The store space is permeated with gold light.

    Bulgari plans to adopt the new storefront facade in all of its global stores.

    The brand also recently launched a new design concept in Hong Kong.

    For more pictures, view the gallery below (4 images) :

     

  • Redesign looms for Bulgari Hong Kong flagship

    Redesign looms for Bulgari Hong Kong flagship

    Bulgari has reimagined its Hong Kong Landmark Chater flagship with a design concept specially developed by American architect Peter Marino.

    Opened in 2002, the flagship has been restyled to now occupy more than 3000sqft of the facade of the Landmark Chater.

    The design draws inspiration from architectural elements of the brand’s flagship store on Via Condotti in Rome, including a reproduction of the iconic door complete with a hand-crafted replica of the lantern that hangs over the entrance.

    Incorporated in the floor at the entrance is the brand’s signature eight-pointed Condotti star in red porphyry – a universal symbol of balance, harmony and cosmic order, and also a graphic representation of the saying “Roma caput mundi” (all roads lead to Rome).

    “Entering the store is like a walk in the city of Rome, kissed by the sunlight; with a central main ambiance that resembles a promenade or Italian piazza, then opening up the view to other spectacular rooms,” says Bulgari. “The round ceiling vault pays homage to the Pantheon dome, as well as to the cupolas of typical Baroque churches.”

    In the main entrance, a light bronze oval-shaped counter in galvanized iron, inspired by the Italian architect Carlo Scarpa, is an invitation to browse the store and to explore Bulgari’s iconic collections.

    Jewellery is presented on original Eros marble tables designed by Angelo Mangiarotti. The High Jewellery Room, custom-designed by Marino himself, is enriched with Imperial Saffron silk.

    A stairway in Pavonazzetto marble leads to the Happening Lounge, a VIP area that echoes the lounge originally dedicated to Elizabeth Taylor, where the Hollywood actress would spend hours after escaping from the paparazzi through a secret door to chat with Gianni Bulgari. Today, Hong Kong shoppers can have aperitifs in the lounge.

    On the other side of the store, the Bridal Room welcomes couples in an intimate atmosphere.

    Meanwhile, the High Jewellery Room, designed specially by Marino, features windows covered with saffron-coloured silk to recreate the earthy colours of Italy, and four majestic marble columns that divide the interior, reminiscent of Rome’s baroque architectural style.

    Until August 31, Bulgari has Aperitivo at the store, offering complimentary Italian beverages and snacks.

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  • Celebrating Lunar New Year with offers from DFS

    Celebrating Lunar New Year with offers from DFS

    To celebrate Lunar New Year and the arrival of the Year of the Dog, luxury travel retailer DFS Group will offer special promotions and interactive activities at certain T Galleria and DFS stores worldwide next month.

    There will also be exclusive offers from the group’s Give Joy Together gift guide.

    In-store activities will include a Pokemon Go-inspired game featuring the DFS Lunar New Year dog character Lolo. This will be available at T Galleria by DFS, Hong Kong, Canton Road; T Galleria Beauty by DFS, Hong Kong, Causeway Bay; and T Galleria by DFS, Angkor. It will also be at outlets in Hawaii and Sydney.

    Other activities include a Fortune Tree and Wishing Tree with lucky prize envelopes, and a personalised charm giveaway set for customers taking advantage of Give Joy Together promotions.

    Exclusive products for the month include: Anne Klein Blush women’s ceramic watch with Swarovski crystals; Bulgari Serpenti Twist Your Time, with either mother-of-pearl or red dial; Emporio Armani Connected touchscreen smartwatch; Estee Lauder limited-edition Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eye Shadow & Lipstick; Hamilton’s Ventura Elvis 80 automatic men’s watch with a complimentary exclusive Elvis Presley tote bag; Marc Jacobs exclusive tote bag; Marc Tetro Hong Kong Pug cosmetic bag and Westie tote bag; Swarovski Haves bracelet, pendant and earrings; and Tiffany & Co Keys Fleur de Lis Key and Keys Petals pendants.

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  • LVMH hits up record revenue in 2017

    LVMH hits up record revenue in 2017

    It has been another record year for luxury products group LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.

    Revenue increased by 13 per cent year on year to reach €42.6 billion (US$52.9 billion), while organic revenue growth was 12 per cent.

    All business groups recorded double-digit organic growth with the exception of wines and spirits, where second-half growth was hit by supply constraints.

    Profit from recurring operations reached €8.2 billion, up 18 per cent. Operating margin reached 19.5 per cent, while the group share of net profit was €5.1 billion, growth of 29 per cent.

    Describing the performance as “excellent”, LVMH chairman/CEO Bernard Arnault says the record year was partly because of a buoyant environment but above all a result of the creative strength of the group’s brands “and their ability to constantly reinvent themselves”.

    Key highlights of last year listed by the group include:

    ● Record revenue and profit from recurring operations.

    ● Growth in Asia, Europe and the US.

    ● The success of both iconic and new products at Louis Vuitton, “whose profitability remains at an exceptional level”.

    ● The acquisition of Christian Dior Couture.

    ● Growth at Fendi and Loro Piana.

    ● The first year of integration of Rimowa luggage.

    ● Strong momentum at Parfums Christian Dior, driven by product innovation.

    ● An excellent year for Bulgari and good progress at Hublot and Tag Heuer.

    ● Growth at Sephora.

    ● Free cashflow of €4.7 billion, up 20 per cent.

    “Significant” growth in China helped Hennessy cognac volumes grow by 8 per cent, with 7.5 million cases shipped despite the second-half supply constraints.

    In fashion and leather goods, key events of the year were products arising from collaborations with artist Jeff Koons as well as the Supreme brand, the launch of the brand’s first smartwatch and the inauguration of the Maison Louis Vuitton Vendome in Paris.

    There was rapid growth in Asia for the perfumes and cosmetics segment, and growth was particularly strong in Asia for Bulgari. Asia again shone in the selective retailing group with Sephora continuing to gain market share.

    LVMH says the year was a positive turning point for DFS, with new stores in Cambodia and Italy continuing to grow sales.

    Despite unfavourable currencies and geopolitical uncertainties, LVMH says it is well equipped to continue its growth momentum across all business groups this year.

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  • Wines and spirits contribution to LVMH luxury business

    Wines and spirits contribution to LVMH luxury business

    It has been a bubbly nine months for the LVMH luxury business – with the exception of its wines and spirits division, which was hampered by supply constraints.

    Revenue grew by 14 per cent for the period to reach €30.1 billion (US$35.4 billion).

    With organic revenue growth of 12 per cent, the third quarter continues the trend for the year, says the group. The revenue increase was despite a negative currency impact of 5 per cent and a positive structural impact of 7 per cent, reflecting the integration of Christian Dior Couture.

    All business groups recorded double-digit organic growth, with the exception of wines and spirits where growth was 8 per cent. Champagne volumes were up 4 per cent, with particularly strong demand in Europe and Japan. Hennessy cognac had a volume increase of 9 per cent despite a third-quarter decline related to limited supply.

    LVMH’s selective retailing business group had organic revenue growth of 12 per cent. Online sales grew at a steady pace, and DFS had sustained growth, particularly in Hong Kong and Macau. The T Galleria store in Cambodia has also developed well, says the group.

    Organic growth of 14 per cent was recorded by the fashion and leather goods business group. It attributes this to innovation, such as the launch of Louis Vuitton’s first smartwatch.

    “The qualitative development of the distribution network continues, as illustrated by the opening of the Maison Louis Vuitton Vendome in Paris, which brings together under one roof all the savoir-faire of the maison,” says the group.

    Highlights during the period included Fendi opening stores in the US and Rimowa being consolidated. Donna Karan was sold at the end of last year.

    There was also 14 per organic growth in perfumes and cosmetics. Perfumes benefitted from the launch of the eau de parfum Miss Dior. Guerlain rolled out Mon Guerlain fragrance internationally, and Fenty Beauty by Rihanna had an “exceptional” start.

    Watches and jewellery had 13 per cent organic revenue growth, with Bulgari achieving “a remarkable performance” with the rapid growth of its signature jewellery collections Serpenti, Diva and B.Zero1.

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  • LVMH sales soar as shoppers return to luxury

    LVMH sales soar as shoppers return to luxury

    LVMH sales surged 15 per cent in the latest quarter to €9.88 billion (US$10.477 billion).

    That was nearly €400 million more than analysts had been expecting, with the result driven across all of the luxury group’s business units.

    Fashion and leather goods, which account for more than half the company’s turnover, rose 15 per cent during the quarter. That compares with static growth the same quarter last year. Fendi and Louis Vuitton were singled out by analysts as strong performers, with Celine, Kenzo, Loewe and Berluti also showing progress.

    LVMH’s leather and fashion brands also include Dior, Emilio Pucci, Fendi, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Moynat, Rimowa and Thomas Pink.

    ‘Selective retailing’,  the group’s second-largest division, had been dragged down by DFS in prior quarters, offsetting a strong performance by Sephora cosmetics chain, observed Deborah Aitken, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. But the latest quarter it showed improvement of 11 per cent. Sephora continued to gain market share globally and recorded double-digit revenue and profit growth for the quarter.

    “This could be an important turnaround,” said Aitken.

    Liquor – including brands such as Cape Mentelle, Chandon, Cloudy Bay, Dom Pérignon, Glenmorangie, Hennessy, Krug, Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot – was the second best performing sector, up 13 per cent organically. Hennessy was a star performer.

    Sales of watches and jewellery also rebounded, rising 11 per cent. Bulgari continued to gain market share and Tag Heuer successfully launched its new Connected Modular 45 watch.

    And the perfume and cosmetics business grew sales by 12 per cent.

    Fung Global Retail observed that Parfums Christian Dior reported good growth and Guerlain launched a new women’s fragrance called Mon Guerlain during the quarter. Parfums Givenchy benefited from the success of lipstick lines, which saw rapid development in Asia. In addition, the Kat Von D brand launched exclusively in January 2017 at Sephora in France.

    Managing expectations

    While the company was clearly pleased with its results it did warn shareholders to keep their expectations modest, pointing out the growth had come against a 2016 quarter when the industry was struggling with Paris terror attacks. It said such levels of growth should not be expected for the full year.

    LVMH shares rose to a record in Paris after the results were announced.

    The LVMH figures will set the standard for a raft of luxury retail earnings due to be released in the coming days. Prada reports results today and Kering, parent of Gucci, on April 25.

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  • How to grow for Luxury brands

    How to grow for Luxury brands

    Luxury brands need to use new technologies and offer experiences for their customers, the second Luxury Society keynote event in Shanghai has been told.

    UCO Cosmetics CEO Arthur Zhang told the event that the early-stage eCommerce model of simply providing a platform for selling products online is dead.

    He said key technologies being experimented and improved upon in China include augmented reality, virtual reality and live-streaming.

    “The millennial generation in China, which already numbers about 300 million people, seeks experiences and emotional connection – they are not just bystanders,” DLG China partner/MD Pablo Mauron told the audience of more than 150 luxury-industry brand executives. “As a result, live-streaming has become a medium for them to express themselves.”

    He told how brands such as Maybelline, Montblanc and Swarovski are taking advantage of these new opportunities.

    Underlining the key message of the event that eCommerce is changing, CEO Thibault Villet of luxury fashion eCommerce platform Mei.com told how a live-streamed show in collaboration with TMall resulted in 65 per cent of the products featured quickly selling out.

    Meaningful data

    Social customer-relationship management (CRM) makes highly targeted messaging and engagement possible, the event was told by Four Seasons Hotels Asia Pacific director of marketing communications John Hamilton. He said the luxury hotel chain has been gaining meaningful data about its customers, which in turn has driven growth. In the past year, through trial-and-error and optimisation, the group has defined a CRM-led content strategy on WeChat.

    Celebrity and key-opinion-leader partnerships can make a big impact in China, said East Entertainment commercial director Qing Dai, who spoke of her experience of partnering luxury brands with appropriate celebrities. One of Easy Entertainment’s most successful was in linking up Cartier with singer/actor Lu Han.

    Baidu GM for East China Wan (Grace) Zhang said Cartier was the most-searched luxury watch brand among the generation born between 1990 and 2000, linked to Cartier’s collaboration with Lu Han.

    Other speakers at the event included Four Seasons Hotel Pudong (Shanghai) GM Arthur Ho, writer Casey Hall of Women’s Wear Daily, Digital Luxury Group founder/CEO David Sadigh and MD for China Pablo Mauron, Baidu senior project manager Di Fu and Sephora China digital manager Vanessa Qian.

    Attendees included representatives of Alexandre de Paris, Baume & Mercier, Bottega Veneta, Bulgari, Cartier, Chanel, Chaumet, Conde Nast, De Beers, Dior, Hublot, Loewe, LVMH, Marc Jacobs, Massimo Dutti, Michael Kors, Montblanc, Nars, Net-a-Porter, Nike, Sephora, Shiseido, Swarovski, TAG Heuer, Tiffany & Co and Vacheron Constantin.

    Luxury Society, published by Digital Luxury Group, is an online destination for luxury-brand executives covering digital and technology matters and with more than 40,000 members across 150 countries.

  • Hard half-year for Luk Fook Holdings

    Hard half-year for Luk Fook Holdings

    Revenue plunged by 21.5 per cent for jeweller Luk Fook Holdings (International) to reach HK$5.5 billion (US$709 million) for the six months to September 30.

    Its interim results also show a drop of 31.5 per cent in overall same-store sales for the period.

    However, its overall gross margin improved by 5.3 points to 28 per cent as a result of a relatively high gold price and higher gemset jewellery sales mix. Because of this, the gross profit decreased by only 3 per cent to HK$1.5 billion.

    Mainland China accounted for 54.6 per cent of total profits, an increase of 12.8 points.
    With a lacklustre market, retail revenue in Hong Kong plunged by 33.4 per cent to $2.642 billion, while the wholesale business shot up by 51.1 per cent to $361.6 million because of an increase in scrap gold sales as well as wholesale rough diamonds.

    Luk Fook says a relatively high gold price saw gold sales fall more than expected.

    During the six months, the group added 27 Lukfook shops worldwide, including 24 in China (nine of them licensed shops), a self-run shop in both Macau’s casino district and New York,and  a licensed shop in Seoul. This brought its total to 1455 Lukfook shops (up from 1412 at the same time last year), spanning Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Macau, Singapore and the US, as well as nine 3D-Gold shops (up from four) on the mainland.

    The group says it has been striving to diversify its product mix, and since 2010 has been trying to expand its mid- to high-end watch business. At the end of September is was the authorised dealer of 34 watch brands including Audemars Piguet, Bulova, Burberry, Bulgari, Emporio Armani, Eterna, Frederique Constant, Longines, Omega, Oris, Rado, Tag Heuer, and Victorinox Swiss Army.

    For the six months, the watch business contributed revenue of HK$104.49 million down from HK$119.39 million for the same period last year, representing 1.9 per cent of the group’s total revenue, a 12.5 per cent decrease.

    Looking ahead, the group aims to continue to develop its eCommerce business and to further strengthen cooperation with eCommerce platforms in China. At the end of September, the group had 15 online sales platforms in China, including JD.com, Suning.com, Tmall.com and VIP.com.

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