Retail News CRM

Tag: Louis Vuitton

  • Louis Vuitton celebrates the launch of Virgil Abloh’s SS19 collection

    Louis Vuitton celebrates the launch of Virgil Abloh’s SS19 collection

    For those that have been patiently waiting to get their hands on Virgil Abloh‘s debut Louis Vuitton collection, the highly anticipated Spring/Summer 2019 offerings are now available online. The online release comes shortly after Virgil opened up an exclusive pop-up at Chrome Hearts’ New York City flagship.

    The Yellow Brick Road Hand-Knitted Crewneck, Poppies Dorothy Graphic Windbreaker and colorful Calfskin Cut Away Vest serve as notable garments from the collection. Standout carrying options include the iridescent take on the classic Keepall Bandouliere 50, Soft Trunk Messenger Bag, Mini Polochon Messenger Bag and a host of holster-style utility pouches. Rounding things up is Virgil’s take on LV’s iconic Millionaire Sunglasses, early Jordan Brand model-inspired LV Trainer Sneakers, and the LV Creeper Ankle Boot Timberland homage.

    Check out some of the items above and head over to louisvuitton.com now to shop Louis Vuitton’s SS19 collection.

    In case you missed it, Virgil Abloh recently launched a comprehensive archive of his work.

  • Record results for LVMH in 2018

    Record results for LVMH in 2018

    The world’s largest luxury retailer LVMH shrugged off broader market pessimism overnight reporting record revenue of €46.8 billion last year, up 10 per cent over 2017. Excluding the closure of the unprofitable Hong Kong airport duty-free business in December 2017, the group’s organic growth was 12 per cent. Every business division delivered what the company described as “excellent performances”.

    Group profit rose a staggering 21 per cent to €10 billion with operating margin reaching 21.4 per cent, an increase of 1.9 percentage points.

    “LVMH had another record year, both in terms of revenue and results,” said chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault. “The desirability of our brands, the creativity and quality of our products, the unique experience offered to our customers, and the talent and the commitment of our teams are the group’s strengths and have once again made the difference.”

    Arnault said this year the company would continue to innovate and target investments combining tradition and modernity.

    “In an environment that remains uncertain, we can count on the appeal of our brands and the agility of our teams to strengthen, once again, our leadership in the universe of high-quality products.”

    The company’s flagship Louis Vuitton business was a standout for the group, contributing much of the 15 per cent organic sales growth of the fashion and leather goods business division where profit from recurring operations was up 21 per cent.

    “Christian Dior had an excellent first full year within LVMH thanks to the creativity of Maria Grazia Chiuri for the women’s collections and to the arrival of Kim Jones, the new artistic director of Dior Homme,” the company said in its earnings statement.

    “Fendi and Loro Piana continued to assert their know-how throughout their collections. Celine entered a new and ambitious stage of its development with the arrival of Hedi Slimane as artistic, creative and image director of the brand.”

    Givenchy, Loewe and Kenzo “progressed well” while the other brands, Berluti and Rimowa continued to gain momentum.

    Watches and jewellery profit soars

    LVMH’s watches and jewellery business recorded organic revenue growth of 12 per cent – and a stunning 37 per cent increase in profit from recurring operations.

    “Bulgari performed very well and gained market share. Its iconic jewellery and watchmaking lines Serpenti, Diva’s Dream, B.Zero1, Lvcea and Octo grew strongly.”

    Chaumet’s growth was driven by the success of the Liens and Joséphine collections, particularly in Asia.

    In the watchmaking sector, Tag Heuer continued to expand its range and Hublot enjoyed strong growth, partly due to high visibility as the FIFA World Cup official timekeeper.

    DFS returns to profit

    A return to profitability for the travel-retail business DFS after it exited its Hong Kong airport concessions at the end of 2017 was a highlight of LVMH’s ‘selective retailing’ business unit last year. The business group achieved a 12 per cent improvement in organic revenue growth (excluding the airport business from the 2017 base comparison) and a 29 per cent improvement in profit.

    “DFS progressed strongly thanks to a particularly good performance in Hong Kong and Macau. The recently opened Gallerias in Cambodia and Italy also grew rapidly,” said LVMH.

    Sephora enjoyed unspecified growth in sales and market share, with strong online sales growth in Asia and North America. About 100 new stores opened worldwide, including the new Nanjing Road store in Shanghai and the first Sephora-branded stores in Russia.

    Scents of success

    The perfumes and cosmetics business division achieved organic revenue growth of 14 per cent, driven by the performance of its flagship brands, with profit from recurring operations up 13 per cent.

    “Parfums Christian Dior experienced remarkable growth and increased its market share in all regions of the world. The launch of its new perfume Joy and the exceptional worldwide success of Sauvage and the other iconic perfumes J’adore and Miss Dior are behind the strong growth of the Maison,” said LVMH.

    “Makeup and skincare also grew rapidly. Guerlain progressed well, driven in particular by the success of Abeille Royale in skincare and Rouge G in makeup. Benefit strengthened its leading position in the eyebrow segment and Parfums Givenchy accelerated its performance, thanks in particular to makeup and its new perfume L’interdit. Fresh and Fenty Beauty by Rihanna continued their exceptional growth.”

    Strong spirits

    The wines and spirits business group achieved organic revenue growth of 5 per cent and profit from recurring operations also increased by 5 per cent.

    “The business group reaffirmed its leadership position by pursuing its value strategy and balanced geographic development.”

    The Hennessy business enjoyed “strong momentum” in Mainland China, LVMH said.

  • Reebonz to use blockchain technology to assure authenticity

    Reebonz to use blockchain technology to assure authenticity

    Southeast Asian online luxury marketplace Reebonz is exploring blockchain technology as part of its strategy to demonstrate the provenance of products. Complementing the firm’s existing in-house team of ateliers who specialise in authenticating leather products, timepieces, gemstones and jewellery, Reebonz intends to incorporate all transactions on a blockchain to ensure the comprehensive traceability of all products sold within its ecosystem. The firm’s goal is to enable buyers to verify the authenticity of products on their own and stamp out losses and distrust generated by the global exchange of counterfeits.

    By establishing end-to-end traceability, customers will also be able sell their items back to Reebonz, which would allow the company to easily identify a customer’s purchase.

    “The Reebonz leadership team is extraordinary and has already developed a cutting-edge technology and platform”, said Tim Draper, senior advisor of Draper Oakwood Technology Acquisition and founding partner of Draper Associates.

    “The authentication of pre-owned luxury items using the blockchain is just one of many high impact innovations Reebonz is pioneering to improve the luxury shopping experience for customers across Asia Pacific.”

    “While we started as an online platform that helps consumers access affordable luxury, we have evolved into an ecosystem that connects buyers and sellers through the widest range of luxury,” added Reebonz CEO and co-founder Samuel Lim.

    “Identifying gaps and opportunities in the luxury e-commerce landscape and spearheading strategies that present innovative ways of redefining luxury consumption has made us a leader in this industry. As we continue to build out a thriving community of buyers, sellers and international boutiques, it will become critical for the industry to evolve, and for us to become a leading innovator of authenticity solutions. We are excited to use the blockchain technology to solve one of the key global issues that impacts our industry.”

    Lees ook:

  • Burberry and Louis Vuitton lose counterfeiting appeal in Singapore

    Burberry and Louis Vuitton lose counterfeiting appeal in Singapore

    Burberry and Louis Vuitton have lost their appeal in a trademark dispute against local transport company Megastar Shipping. The luxury brands alleged that Megastar Shipping had handled counterfeit goods in Singapore that were headed for Indonesia, citing the Trade Marks Act that states a trademark is infringed by any person found to import or export goods using that mark without the proprietor’s consent.

    The upper division of the Singapore Supreme Court found this week that Megastar was not the importer of counterfeit goods shipped from China that were seized in March 2013, and was only intended to handle the goods in transit to their final destination in Indonesia. Megastar Shipping had been listed on seaway bills and arrival notices as the consignee of the goods.

    The appeals court ruled that the protection of IP rights had to be balanced against extending liability for infringement to “honest commercial persons who happened to be tangentially involved” in the shipping of counterfeit goods.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Pooey Puitton toy purse makers file lawsuit against Louis Vuitton

    Pooey Puitton toy purse makers file lawsuit against Louis Vuitton

    Toy company MGA Entertainment has preemptively sued Louis Vuitton in an attempt to prevent the fashion house from taking actions that might impact sales of its slime-filled children’s purse Pooey Puitton. Filed 28 December 2018 in Los Angeles federal court, the lawsuit aims to prevent any potential claims of trademark infringement that Louis Vuitton might have against the plastic, poop-shaped purse.

    Instead, it asserts that the product is a “protected parody” of Louis Vuitton’s luxury handbags.

    The Pooey Puitton plastic purse takes the shape of a poop emoji with a handle and sparkly eyes. It is printed with a colourful, printed monogram, similar to the floral trademark pattern found on Louis Vuitton products, particularly the Spring/Summer 2003 collaboration with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami.

    Intended as a children’s toy, the purse is designed to store “unicorn poop”, a glittery toy slime.

    The children’s toy manufacturer launched the lawsuit in response to a claim that Pooey Puitton’s name and image violates the fashion label’s intellectual property rights.

    But MGA Entertainment asserted that “no reasonable consumer would mistake the Pooey product for a Louis Vuitton handbag”, citing the difference in material, price, marketing and stockists.

    According to the toy giant, the product is actually a parody of the luxury fashion brand, “designed to mock, criticise, and make fun of the wealth and celebrity” associated with Louis Vuitton products.

    “The use of the Pooey name and Pooey product in association with a product line of magical unicorn poop is intended to criticise or comment upon the rich and famous, the Louis Vuitton name, the ‘LV’ marks, and on their conspicuous consumption,” the statement reads.

    The interlocking “L” and “V” floral monogram pattern was designed by Louis Vuitton’s son, Georges Vuitton, in 1896.

    This is not the first time that MGA Entertainment has found itself in legal battles. The brand was famously sued by Barbie-manufacturer Mattel for allegedly stealing the idea behind its Bratz doll franchise.

    Elsewhere, Virgil Abloh – who was appointed artistic director of menswear for Louis Vuitton in March 2018 – unveiled his polychromatic menswear collection for the brand during Paris fashion week.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Louis Vuitton personalisation service launches in Asia

    Louis Vuitton personalisation service launches in Asia

    Luxury retailer Louis Vuitton is offering a personalisation service for a selection of men’s ready-to-wear items in a limited number of global stores. The My LV World Tour Louis Vuitton personalisation service offers clients the opportunity to customise their purchases with a variety of patches and embroideries inspired by vintage travel labels and varsity lettering of the kind Gaston-Louis Vuitton used to adorn his own luggage. The service was previously limited to leather goods.

    The patch themes include world-famous cities and heritage LV graphics, some of which will be available seasonally as limited-edition items.

    The Louis Vuitton personalisation service is available in only eight Asian stores: Hong Kong’s Canton Road and Pacific Place; Shanghai’s Plaza 66; Beijing’s Shin Kong; Japan’s Omotesando and Shinsaibashi; Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands and Seoul’s Shinsegae Main.

    Lees ook:

  • Chanel’s recipe for success revealed

    Chanel’s recipe for success revealed

    Last month, Chanel reported its financials for the first time in its 108-year history, lifting the company’s traditional veil of secrecy, in part, to quash speculation that it could be acquired. The disclosure revealed that the French luxury giant generated $9.6 billion in sales last year – just a shade behind LVMH cash cow Louis Vuitton.

    What’s no secret, though, is that Chanel holds immense allure to shoppers.

    In fact, it is one of the most desirable luxury fashion brand in the world fueled by the perception that it is amongst the most exclusive brands of all.

    This is paradoxical when one considers that Chanel is also one of the most accessible luxury brands, as measured by pricing.

    In fact, it has some of the lowest entry-level price points in the business, courtesy of its beauty products. Cosmetics and fragrances allow the middle class to get a whiff of the lifestyles embodied by Chanel’s couture and prêt-à-porter offerings.

    Indeed, Chanel is a master of category segregation.

    This strategy involves confining iconic, core category products to high-end price ranges, while deftly positioning other product categories (lipsticks, for example) at lower price points to address aspirational customers.

    Such segregation has allowed the house to maintain its air of exclusivity.

    It may sound like a simple strategy, but it has helped make Chanel by far the biggest luxury goods mega-brand in retail equivalent terms, and only marginally smaller than Louis Vuittonin reported sales.

    Critical to this success has been Chanel’s leading position in beauty, a category that is heavily dependent on multi-brand wholesale distribution.

    While there are some disadvantages to wholesale distribution, from smaller margins to less control over brand experience, leveraging wholesale also means the company can have a relatively compact retail network.

    Chanel had 338 stores in 2017, or nearly 30 percent fewer than Louis Vuitton.

    As for profitability, Chanel reported an earnings before interest and taxes, or EBIT, margin of 28 percent, compared to 40 percent at Louis Vuitton.

    This suggests Chanel has much room to push its profit margins higher, especially considering its sheer scale and the economics of beauty.

    Chanel seems to be vastly outspending its peers on marketing support and communication, boosting its profile on both traditional and social media.

    All this, and a traditional focus on organic growth rather than acquisitions, means the group boasts returns on invested capital that approach those of Hermès.

    This is despite selling, general and administrative expenses equivalent to nearly half of Chanel’s sales as opposed to roughly a third at Hermès.

    Again, this suggests there is room to rise further.

    When Chanel announced its financials last month, the company said it did so to dispel the notion that it would ever be up for sale.

    While the size of the company means only very large — and ambitious — players might be able to pull off such a deal, that still leaves potential contenders should it ever decide to open its doors.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • The Face Shop loses trademark battle with Louis Vuitton

    The Face Shop loses trademark battle with Louis Vuitton

    Korean cosmetics firm The Face Shop has lost a trademark infringement case filed against it by French luxury brand Louis Vuitton. The infringement case relates to Face Shop’s collaboration with American brand My Other Bag, known for its parodies of luxury products. LV has unsuccessfully pursued My Other Bag for damages in American courts.

    Seoul’s Central District Court has ruled The Face Shop to cease trading in products featuring Louis Vuitton designs and pay KRW50 million (US$44,080) in fines.

    The Face Shop failed in its defense that their products were a parody due to the low market profile of My Other Bag in Korea and the difference in how The Face Shop used LV designs compared with My Other Bag’s parody products.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Louis Vuitton New Delhi flagship store to go bigger

    Louis Vuitton New Delhi flagship store to go bigger

    The Louis Vuitton New Delhi flagship store is being expanded. The French luxury house, which has been present in India for 15 years, is expanding its DLF Emporio Mall outlet to another floor, and will for the first time house men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections.

    The store’s decor uses both vintage pieces from Paris and furniture items especially created for the store, as well as Jaipur and Nepalese carpets.

    Interior designs were developed by creative teams based in France and Hong Kong. The first floor of the store is entitled “L’Appartement”, mimicking a luxury apartment with accessories and other higher-end products.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • 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.

  • Millennials’ love for luxury brands focuses on two brands

    Millennials’ love for luxury brands focuses on two brands

    Millennials feel better about their future earnings than older consumers and spend more on luxury goods.

    That’s according to a survey of more than 3,000 consumers across China, Europe and the US by UBS Group AG. Eighteen to 35 year olds have contributed 85 percent to growth in the luxury market last year and will represent 45 percent of total high-end spending by 2025, according to the report published Friday.

    Gucci and Louis Vuitton are millennials’ favourite brands, according to the survey and social-media data analysed by UBS.

    While the intent to buy online is higher in the age group than among older consumers, physical stores continue to feature highly among preferred places to shop.

    Chinese millennials, a major driving force behind sales growth, allocate about 20 percent of discretionary income to purchasing luxury goods, a similar share as older generations.

    Nearly 70 percent of Chinese Millennials expect their personal financial situation to improve in the next 12 months, compared to 65 percent of Chinese respondents aged 35 or more.

    That is good news for companies selling luxury goods, considering Millennials drove 85 percent of the sector’s growth last year. In fact, luxury fashion labels which have been performing well lately have a high percentage of sales from Millennials.

    For example, UBS estimates 65 percent of Saint Laurent’s revenues to have come from this age group in 2017, while Gucci’s Millennial sales were estimated in 50 percent. Louis Vuittonobtained approximately 33 percent of its profits from consumers aged 21-37, as claimed by UBS.

    Younger people in Italy and the US have higher spending budgets than their elders, according to the report.

    Lees ook:

  • Louis Vuitton dominates fake products seized in Korea

    Louis Vuitton dominates fake products seized in Korea

    South Korea’s Customs service has released an intellectual property infringement report detailing the most-seized counterfeit goods over the past four years.

    According to the report, South Korean officials seized more fake Louis Vuitton products than any other between June 2014 and June this year, a trend that accelerated over the period.

    Agents seized KRW183.1 billion (US$224 million) worth of LV-trademarked counterfeit goods, mostly originating from China. Almost a quarter of those goods were seized within the last six months alone.

    Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Byung-won, who commissioned and released the report, said: “Making and distributing fake goods is a criminal act that violates intellectual property rights, and it is required to toughen crackdown on such illegalities.”

    Other frequently counterfeited brands include Rolex watches, Cartier jewelry, Chanel garments and accessories, and Gucci products.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Korean culture inspires Louis Vuitton

    Korean culture inspires Louis Vuitton

    Stylist Seo Young-hee has designed a special edition trunk for Louis Vuitton, influenced by Korea’s traditional marriage culture.

    Seo, who worked as a stylist for Vogue Korea before switching to work as an artistic director of fashion on a project basis, is known for combining Korean traditional crafts with modern fashion. She was inspired by the luxury brand’s “Volez Voguez Voyagez” exhibition in Seoul last year.

    At the exhibition, one of the brand’s signature trunks was decorated like a “hahm” using objects placed inside and outside it, Seo said. A hahm is a special box containing presents that is traditionally sent to a Korean bride’s house by the groom before the wedding.

    From last November, she discussed the project with a director from Louis Vuitton’s Special Order Trunk team. After a nearly yearlong project, a Wardrobe Trunk and a Cabinet Trunk were created.

    It is the first time that Louis Vuitton, known for its bespoke trunks for special occasions, has made a trunk influenced by Korean tradition.

    The trunks, decorated with traditional Korean fabric and embroidery, carry special ornaments related to the hahm tradition. The cabin size trunk was designed to be lower in height compared to other products, considering that hahm are usually carried on the back.

    “It was an unforgettable experience to visit a workshop in Asnieres, France, and talk about trunk-making with an artisan who worked with respect for and interest in Korean traditional culture,” Seo said.

    The limited edition hahm trunk can be custom ordered at local Louis Vuitton stores.

  • Louis Vuitton China expands cover to all major cities

    Louis Vuitton China expands cover to all major cities

    Luxury brand Louis Vuitton China is rolling out services to all major cities across the country.

    The expanded reach, which marks the first anniversary of its e-commerce launch in China, will allow metropolitan consumers throughout the country access to Louis Vuitton’s delivery service and seven-day return policy, which it has been testing in 12 of China’s largest cities over the past 12 months.

    The news follows the announcement that Louis Vuitton China, and other luxury brands, will lower prices there in response to the administration’s recent tax cuts.

    The anniversary of the Louis Vuitton China business will also be marked by the release of several new exclusive products, including new bag designs and the brand’s latest fragrance.

    Louis Vuitton’s e-commerce platform is supported by domestic delivery service SF Express, which serves a number of international luxury brands.

    Lees ook:

  • Louis Vuitton is lowering its retail prices in China

    Louis Vuitton is lowering its retail prices in China

    LMVH maison Louis Vuitton is lowering its retail prices in China. In a statement issued by the maison to the newspaper Jing Daily, the brand announced that it had decided to “lower prices on a wide range of products to support the government’s efforts to reduce the cost of luxury goods sold in China”.

    The Ministry of Finance in Beijing, starting from the first of July, has lowered taxes on imports for an average of 20.7 percent, with a view to favoring purchases in the country. In 2011, luxury goods sold outside of China were about 68 percent cheaper than those same products sold in China; thanks to the measures adopted over time, in 2017 the difference decreased to 16 percent.

    The new prices of Louis Vuitton would have already been updated on the Chinese e-commerce of the brand and in stores. The estimate is that of a cut between 300 yuan (about 40 euros) and 1,500 yuan (just under 200 euros) on different products; the average price reduction, according to the headline, would therefore be between 3 and 5 percent.

    It is still unclear whether other luxury fashion houses will follow the same strategy as Louis Vuitton, but a chain effect is expected. For example, since 2015, Chanel has adopted a “harmonized” pricing policy, with the aim of reducing the price gap in China and abroad, and thus encouraging purchases in the country.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: