Tag: luxury

  • Burberry sales saved by Mainland China

    Burberry sales saved by Mainland China

    A mid-single-digit rise in Burberry sales in Mainland China in the third quarter helped produce a solid result for the luxury fashion retailer. The strong China performance helped mitigate reduced footfall in the Americas and a subdued European market where tourist spending showed only a small improvement. Global same-store sales rose just 1 per cent.

    However, CEO Marco Gobbetti said the company was buoyed by improvements and ongoing customer excitement ahead of new product delivery – the launch of new creative director Tisci Riccardo’s first runway collection which will hit stores next month.

    “I am pleased with our progress in the quarter as we continued to build brand heat around our new creative vision and shift consumer perception of Burberry. Excitement is growing ahead of next month’s launch of Riccardo’s debut collection,” said Gobbetti.

    “We will continue to manage the business dynamically as we reposition the brand. We confirm our outlook for the full year.”

    He said the company was seeing a continued shift in consumer perceptions of the brand, driving increases in digital engagement and drawing endorsements from key influencers. Increased Burberry sales can only follow.

  • At Kia, sales go up, but profit doesn’t follow

    At Kia, sales go up, but profit doesn’t follow

    Kia Motors’ sales expanded last year, but profits faltered. Korea’s second-largest carmaker by sales said Friday it posted 94.3 billion won ($84 million) in net profit for the fourth quarter last year, a 10 percent drop year on year.
    Though the carmaker’s revenue in the fourth quarter increased by 3.6 percent to 13.47 trillion won due to increased sales, the company said the Korean won’s strength against the U.S. dollar dragged down profits.

    A similar trend is evident in the company’s annual earnings report. The company posted 54.17 trillion won in revenue for the whole of last year, a 1.2 percent increase from the previous year. Global sales also increased by 2.4 percent during the year, selling more than 2.8 million units.

    Despite expanded sales, the company’s net profit was limited to 1.16 trillion won, a 19.4 percent jump from 2017, but still below market expectations or the company’s average profit recorded between 2014 and 2016.

    Profit in 2017 fell to below a trillion won due to a one-off cost of around a trillion won that was reflected that year after a local court ordered the company to make an overdue payment to employees.

    The goal this year for Hyundai Motor’s sister company is to ramp up profitability, especially in the U.S. and Chinese markets, with new car launches and stronger SUV lineups. The automaker also plans to tackle emerging markets like Russia and India with localized models.

    Kia is betting big on its Telluride SUV to turn its business around in the U.S. market. The largest SUV yet in Kia’s lineup will launch in the United States during the first half of this year.

    “As we launch new cars in the U.S. market including the Telluride SUV and new Soul crossover and diversify our product mix, we expect our profitability to improve,” said Joo Woo-jeong, chief financial officer at Kia, during a conference call with analysts on Friday. “The Telluride SUV was well received at the Detroit Motor Show and its image as an off-roader fits well with demands in the U.S. market.”

    The SUV was recently introduced during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

    For China, Joo said Kia will strengthen its local dealer network and better manage car inventories there to improve business. The company is also planning on launching dedicated SUV models for the Chinese market. While Kia sold 370,000 cars in China last year, it hopes to sell 410,000 cars this year based on the new strategies.

    Joo admitted that “China is the most difficult market for Kia” at the moment. Kia plans to sell a total of 2.92 million cars this year, a 3.9 percent increase from last year.

  • Manolo Blahnik opens its first flagship store in Taiwan

    Manolo Blahnik opens its first flagship store in Taiwan

    In May 2018, Manolo Blahnik opened its doors to the public at the triple tower complex Marina Sands Bay in Singapore, strengthening its presence in Asia with Bluebell Group. In January 2019, Manolo Blahnik continues its expansion into Asia with the opening of its first flagship store in Taiwan. The brand is known for its original and creative flair as well as timeless classic styles, which loyal customers from film stars to leading editors, to women who just trust his perfectionism, come back to again and again.

    The newly opened Manolo Blahnik store, a 65 square metre space with a privileged location within the Nanshan Plaza shopping centre, showcases the world-renowned shoes on the first floor of the new upscale retail destination.

    Nick Leith-Smith, the brand’s long-serving architect, said: “Taipei flagship celebrates a material play on Taiwan’s deep cultural and historical connection to bamboo – with a rotating bamboo forest as a central motif. At first, orderly, and geometric, yet with the dynamic movement introducing a curious playfulness to entice and enchant.”

    The new store is another step forward for the company in its expansion across  important markets; and another milestone achieved in the history of the family-owned business that has prevailed in the luxury shoe industry for nearly fifty years.

    The creative soul of the brand is still Mr. Blahnik who, with a career spanning over 40 years, has become one of the world’s most influential footwear designers. His shoes have spellbound an international set of adoring and loyal devotees across the globe.

    He was born in the Canary Islands to a Spanish mother and a Czech father, he studied languages and art in Geneva before moving to Paris in 1965 where he decided to become a set designer.

    On a visit to New York in 1970, he showed his theatre designs to Diana Vreeland, then editor-in-chief of American Vogue, who honed in on his shoes and encouraged him to concentrate on them. Blahnik learnt the art of making shoes by visiting factories, where he talked to machine operators, pattern cutters and technicians. By 1970, he was in London making shoes.

    A year later, Ossie Clark, then the most famous designer in London, used his shoes and from there his career blossomed.

    Manolo Blahnik was established in 1970 with the opening of the first boutique
    in Chelsea, London. It is still a privately owned and family run business with Mr. Blahnik as Creative Director and his sister Evangelina Blahnik led by the enthusiasm of  Kristina Blahnik.

    Kristina, CEO of the company since 2009,  is in charge of brand expansion and optimization of the business worldwide, and in Asia, their transformation is the the result of a long-term partnership with Bluebell Group, which stated in Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, and Taiwan.

    Kristina, the walking embodiment of the woman her uncle, Manolo designs for, before the latest opening said: “I am thrilled at our new venture with the Bluebell group, they have already demonstrated to be an excellent partner in launching beautiful spaces in prestigious locations”.

  • Greater China helps ease Tod’s Group European challenge

    Greater China helps ease Tod’s Group European challenge

    Luxury fashion retailer Tod’s says Greater China sales rose 3.2 per cent last year, to reach €218.7 million. Releasing annual sales results, the Italian-based company said Greater China sales growth accelerated during the fourth quarter, especially on the mainland which now accounts for 60 per cent of its Asian turnover. Hong Kong and Macau also performed well, although the company did not disclose detailed figures for the two territories.

    Tod’s consolidated global sales reach €958.2 million at constant exchange rates, which was essentially the same as for 2017. Tod’s and Roger Vivier were affected by currency fluctuations.

    Retail sales reached €622.3 million, with wholesale revenue comprising the rest. However same-store sales fell by 3 per cent, due to declines across Europe which erased the China growth. In Italy, consumers were spooked by political and economic uncertainties and greater Europe by lower sales to tourists.

    “Last year’s sales results were substantially in line with our expectations, despite the growing international economic and political uncertainties,” said chairman and CEO Diego Della Valle.

    By label, Hogan sales rose 1.8 per cent, Tod’s and Roger Vivier held steady and Fay slipped 3.4 per cent.

  • Crocs India opens 109th store

    Crocs India opens 109th store

    Crocs, the iconic casual footwear brand, announced the launch of its 109th store in India at Ballygunge, Kolkata. Crocs inaugurated the 580 sq.ft. store situated in one of the poshest high-street vicinity of Kolkata. With this new store, Crocs promises to strengthen the reach of the iconic brand in the ‘City of Joy’; where now has seven stores. The other stores of Crocs in Kolkata are located at City Centre New Town, Camac Street, Forum Courtyard, City Centre Salt Lake, Axis Mall, Rajarghat-New Town, and Acropolis in Kolkata.

    The new store showcases the recently launched Spring Summer’19 collection along with an array of styles which include sandals, loafers, sneakers, flip-flops, and clogs suitable for all age groups.

    Speaking on the launch, Deepak Chhabra, CEO & MD, Crocs India, said, “Kolkata is crucial market for us with huge potential and high fashion sensibilities. We are pleased to announce the launch of our 7th store in the city and will continue to strengthen our presence in the state of West Bengal. In addition to aggressively growing our EBOs, we will be strengthening our presence in tier-2 cities via MBOs and Kiosks. Further, e-commerce will remain an integral part of our distribution strategy and help us reach out to consumers where our brick and mortar presence is limited.”

    With unparalleled brand awareness and break-through product innovations, Crocs is progressing towards becoming India’s top non-athletic casual footwear brand. India is currently the 6th biggest market for Crocs globally with a double-digit growth year on year.

    Over the past 16 years, Crocs has sold more than 350 million pairs of shoes worldwide. Crocs as a brand will continue to focus on clogs and sandals, along with new product innovations and extensions of the current product line.

    Last year, Crocs launched its newest innovation ‘LiteRide™’ which is available in Flips, Slides, clogs, shoes and sandals. The LiteRide™ Collection merges sporty, on-trend styles and silhouettes with the legendary Crocs comfort that consumers expect. LiteRide™ has redefined comfort, taken the brand’s style quotient a notch higher and it has been a stellar success across genders and age groups.

    The associations with Christopher Kane and Balenciaga in the last couple of years has also further elevated the fashion appeal of the brand.

  • Gourmet Investments brings Ministry Of Crab to India

    Gourmet Investments brings Ministry Of Crab to India

    Gourmet Investments Pvt. Ltd brings Mumbai’s most awaited launch of the year with the unveiling of Ministry Of Crab’s first-ever outlet in India. The grand launch of Sri- Lanka’s beloved restaurant is scheduled to take place at Zaveri House, Khar, Mumbai. Ministry Of Crab is the brainchild of celebrated chef and restaurateur Dharshan Munidasa in partnership with Sri Lankan cricket legends Mahela Jayawardane and Kumar Sangakkara. With its exemplary services and menu, Ministry Of Crab has safely secured its place for 3 consecutive years in the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

    It was incepted in Sri Lanka on December 12, 2011 in the renovated 400-year-old Dutch Hospital, where it has successfully hosted the most renowned personalities from all walks of life. A haven for food lovers, Ministry Of Crab promises an unforgettable culinary experience with an array of intensely delicious recipes.

    Replicating success from the past, Ministry Of Crab becomes the newest entrant in India’s restaurant market by joining hands with GIPL. GIPL has extended unwavering support to a veteran of several landmark restaurant launches in India with the likes of PizzaExpress, Typhoon Shelter, The Bandra Project, The Runway Project, The Market Project, and The Poona Project. Through such partnerships, GIPL is committed to expanding its portfolio in food and beverage industry.

    Commenting on the partnership, Ramit Bharti Mittal, CEO of Gourmet Investments Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are thrilled to bring Ministry Of Crab to India. It is our constant endeavor to open doors for such brands that resonate with our values and we feel there couldn’t be a better choice for us than Ministry Of Crab. We see immense potential in Indian market for Ministry Of crab and through our strategic partnership, we embark on a new journey to deliver the best-in-class dining culinary experience to our customers.”

    Deepinder Batth, COO of Gourmet Investments Pvt. Ltd., says, “We envision transforming the gastronomic landscape of the country and with the launch of Ministry Of Crab, we feel we are moving towards that direction. MOC has received an exceptional response from food lovers in Sri-Lanka and Shanghai and we are excited to welcome the outlet in our country.”

    On coming to India, Chef Dharshan Munidasa says, “We are looking forward to working with Indian chefs in the country. As our delectable recipes are curated to perfection, we are sure the restaurant is slated to be an ultimate dining destination. We are happy to have partnered with Gourmet Investments, as they have shared our value system and are committed to bringing the DNA of Ministry of Crab to give our guests an authentic experience.”

  • Siri House opens in Singapore with new concept

    Siri House opens in Singapore with new concept

    Hybrid showroom, restobar, retail space and gallery Siri House has opened in Dempsey Hill as a taste test for a planned flagship in Thailand.

    The venue combines multiple concepts into a single interconnected area, including mock interiors for Bangkok apartments, display spaces for Thai artists, and discrete retail corners focusing on Thai culture and designer items, with jewellery, apparel, accessories and various collectibles available for purchase.

    The store is currently trading seven labels, ranging from homeware and souvenirs to crafts and ceramics. Most products on sale have a quirky or artistic vibe.

    The venue also houses a 48-seat restaurant with art deco stylings, serving a colourful Asian-influenced menu alongside a selection of wines and cocktails.

    The Siri House flagship is scheduled to open in Bangkok by March.

    View gallery below for images of the store :

  • Low export numbers put Hyundai profit in the red

    Low export numbers put Hyundai profit in the red

    Hyundai Motor swung to a net loss in the fourth quarter last year, largely due to the strength of the won over the U.S. dollar and weak global sales. It is the worst quarterly earnings reported since 2010, when the company first started posting earnings based on the International Financial Reporting Standards. Korea’s No. 1 automaker by sales on Thursday posted a net loss of 203.3 billion won ($180 million) for the quarter that ended December, a considerable drop from the 1.29 trillion won net profit inked a year earlier.

    The company cited weak earnings from its affiliated locomotive maker Hyundai Rotem, unfavorable currency rates and the sluggish growth of the global automotive industry as major reasons that pulled down earnings in the fourth quarter.

    It added that the cost of its investment into developing futuristic cars was also reflected.

    Hyundai already surprised investors when it posted 306 billion won in net profit in the third quarter, a 67.4 percent year-on-year drop. At the time, the company blamed one-off costs of airbags, engine quality control and marketing activities as well as currency rates to explain its losses and said the fourth quarter would be a better quarter.

    Following the two bad quarters, the carmaker’s annual net profit also dropped to a record low since 2010 – 1.645 trillion won last year, less than half of 2017’s 4.546 trillion won. In 2012, its annual net profit exceeded 9.056 trillion won.

    Choi Byung-chul, chief financial officer at Hyundai Motor, however, said the automaker was able to ramp up automotive sales in the fourth quarter thanks to newly-released SUVs and that the company’s performance could bounce back with several new car launches scheduled this year.

    According to the earnings report, revenue from the automotive business increased by 9.3 percent on year to 20,399 billion won in the fourth quarter. Operating income also jumped up 556.7 percent year on year to 463 billion won for automotives.

    The most recently launched Palisade SUV has been well received by Korean consumers after its launch last month, and a Hyundai Motor spokesperson said it is considering expanding production of the SUV in accordance with the demand. The carmaker has taken orders for 30,000 Palisades so far, according to Koo Za-yong, head of investor relations at Hyundai Motor.

    “Growth of the global automotive market is expected to slow down, but we will strengthen our brand competitiveness by launching cars in segments [that Hyundai had little presence in],” said Koo during a conference call with analysts on Thursday.

    Highly anticipated Hyundai cars this year include a new Sonata sedan and a premium SUV GV80 branded under Genesis.

    Hyundai plans to sell a total of 4.68 million cars this year by selling 712,000 units domestically and 3.97 million units abroad. Last year, the company sold 4.59 million cars at home and abroad, a 1.8 percent increase year on year.

    The automaker commented on its governance reform plans during the conference call as well. It plans to complete reforms this year to break the cross-shareholding structure between affiliates and improve shareholder returns. Last year, its attempt to reform its governance structure failed after facing a series of complaints from U.S. activist hedge fund Elliott Management.

  • Imported vehicle sales in Korea up nearly 10% in 2018

    Imported vehicle sales in Korea up nearly 10% in 2018

    The value of imported vehicles sold in Korea last year jumped 9.9 percent to 17.47 trillion won ($15.49 billion) from a year earlier on demand for German models, industry data showed Thursday. In 2018, imported carmakers sold a combined 260,705 vehicles in Asia’s fourth-biggest economy, up 12 percent from the previous year, the latest findings showed.

    According to the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association (Kaida), strong demand for vehicles made by Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen pushed up sales numbers.

    Imported auto brands accounted for a record 16.7 percent of all vehicles sold and registered in the domestic passenger car market for 2018, up from 15.23 percent in the previous year, Kaida said.

  • BMW Korea announces recall of 99,000 additional vehicles

    BMW Korea announces recall of 99,000 additional vehicles

    BMW on Wednesday announced another recall of an additional 99,000 vehicles, with 20,000 of them recalled immediately on concerns of engine fires. The remaining 79,000 will be recalled if replacement parts are found to be faulty. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Wednesday announced that it has told the German carmaker to follow up with a recall plan that it submitted last week.

    The recall plan followed the investigation results announced by a joint investigation team on Dec. 24 in regard to BMW vehicle catching fire in Korea.

    The investigation team at the time announced that the fires were not only caused by the emission reduction system, or exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, but also by the intake manifold.

    The 20,363 vehicles that were in the first recall in July last year will be the first in line to be re-recalled, this time to check the intake manifold.

    These are vehicles with EGR modules that have not been replaced.

    The government said it will also inspect 80,000 BMWs to see if they have any leakage problems.

    Last year, BMW recalled 106,000 vehicles after they began bursting into flames last summer.

  • Natural food startup Jus’ Amazin launched in India

    Natural food startup Jus’ Amazin launched in India

    Eyeing the burgeoning US$ 100 billion global natural foods and drinks industry, Jitin Munjal, former Global Director for Sales and Marketing at DuPont has announced his natural nutrition food and beverage venture, Jus’ Amazin Foods and Beverages Pvt. Ltd. Co-founded with his wife, Shilpa Mogilishetty, Jus’ Amazin started in the kitchen, as the couple were developing nutritiously rich natural food products that are delicious, for their son, who is allergic to dairy and soy products. After a lot of R&D, the kitchen experiment has now grown (over the last few months), to be present in 75 retail stores, and 20 e-commerce sites, pan-India.

    Speaking on the venture, Jitin Munjal, Co-founder and CEO of Jus’ Amazin said, “Most packaged food is highly processed, packed with chemicals and low in nutrition, and as consumer awareness about the ill-effects of chemicals in food is growing, they are demanding foods that are natural, nutritious and delicious. While trying to find dairy and soy free foods for our son, we realized how underserved the natural and nutritious food market is in India. Jus Amazin caters to the health and nutrition conscious consumer with natural wholesome foods, which are both delicious and nutritious.”

    Jitin Munjal is a seasoned professional and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of rich experience in Business Management, Marketing, Sales & Distribution, Product Development and in leading global and regional teams. Jitin has received his education from premier institutes such as Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, London School of Economics and Political Science, and has worked with blue chip companies such as P&G, Tata Group (as part of the prestigious TAS), Castrol & DuPont. In his last corporate role, Jitin was heading global marketing and sales excellence at DuPont, a leading multinational corporation with interested in varied industries. Shilpa Mogilishetty holds a Masters in Anthropology from the University of Sussex and has worked across the corporate and social sectors, in the areas of Market Research, Media Planning and Change Management.

    Jus’ Amazin’s current product range includes 100 percent natural, gluten free, soy free, dairy free and plant based foods such as nut and seed butters/ spreads (almond butter, organic peanut butter, seed butter and cashew butter). The products are currently available both online at leading e-commerce websites and also in retail stores in Bangalore, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad and Goa. Leading brands such as Foodhall, Spar, BigBasket, Namdhari’s, Modern Bazaar, Loyal World, Amazon, HealthifyMe, FirstCry, HealthKart, Qtrove, The Gourmet Box, among others have partnered with the company.

  • Hugo Boss Asia-Pacific boosted sales

    Hugo Boss Asia-Pacific boosted sales

    German menswear retailer Hugo Boss has seen sales growth accelerate in the fourth quarter of 2018, driven by Asia. Comparable-store sales rose 4 per cent compared to the previous corresponding period and online sales rose 37 per cent, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit e-commerce sales growth. Group sales also grew 6 per cent in the fourth quarter, adjusted for currency differences, to €783 million – compared to €735 million in the previous corresponding period.

    On a comparable-store basis, Asia Pacific was the fastest growing region for the brand, with China achieving high single-digit currency-adjusted store-sales growth for the period.

    Europe and the Americas saw comparable-store sales growth in the mid-single-digit and low-single-digit rates respectively, while sales in the business’ wholesale division increased 15 per cent.

    The brand issued a preliminary full-year total sales figure of €2.79 billion for 2018 – an increase of 2 per cent compared to 2017 – with the “dynamic growth” of the brand’s retail business seen as the key contributor.

    Hugo Boss expects operating income to remain flat at approximately €491 million – the same figure seen in 2017.

    “We look back on a successful 2018. We increased our pace of growth and achieved our full-year targets, supported by a very good fourth quarter,” Hugo Boss CEO Mark Langer said.

    The brand is to focus on sustainable growth and profitability this year, according to Langer, who notes that the new year will be focused on the execution of the business plan until 2020.

    “We will personalise our offerings even more and accelerate important business processes. In doing so, we drive brand desirability and set an important milestone for achieving our mid-term targets,” Langer said.

  • Freshly brewed coffee is rising in China

    Freshly brewed coffee is rising in China

    Although Luckin Coffee, a chain of coffee shops in China,  disclosed a loss of 857 million yuan (RMB) last year, they are still positive about the potential for growth in China. Meanwhile, a Canadian coffee brand, Tim Hortons, announced its expansion into the country, planing to open more than 1,500 stores in China in ten years.

    Convenience store’s brewed coffee stand out in a crowded market

    Coffee brand giants are everywhere, but  coffee sales from convenience store never falls behind, occupying the lower level consumer market. According to the FamilyMart Co., Ltd., there are more than 2,000 stores in the country now selling freshly brewed coffee and the annual revenue in 2018 has exceeded 50 million cups. FamilyMart  revealed that their goal is to sell 100 million cups of coffee in 2019.

    Food plus coffee combo drives sales

    Another profitable coffee sales business people usually neglected is the Western-style fast food restaurant. Since KFC, also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, upgraded the coffee products in 2015, their coffee sales has grown rapidly. In the first three quarters of 2018, KFC sold more than 63 million cups of coffee at an average rate of 2.5 cups per second.

    “The growth of coffee market among convenience store and western restaurant reflects the characteristics of current Chinese coffee market, a market with multi-level, multi-channel and multi-consumer profile.” China food industry analyst Zhu Danpeng said that this also proves the Chinese coffee market still have a big room to invest and develop.

    The current high profit of the coffee industry leads to competition

    Some industry consulting companies predict that the sales of the Chinese coffee shop will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15% from 2017 to 2025, and will reach more than 100 billion yuan (RMB) by 2025. The number of coffee shops in China is expected to reach more than 80 thousand in the near future.

    However, the competition between freshly ground coffee market cannot be avoided. Zhu believes that one of the fundamental reasons for tight competition is that the profit of the this particular beverage industry is extremely high.

    Recently, Zhu went to Yunnan for site visit and he communicated with the local farmers. He said that the coffee bean purchase price of the famous coffee brand is about 12-16 yuan/kg, which can be used to brew 10-12 cups of coffee. In other words, the cost of coffee beans is less than 2 yuan (RMB) per cup. “It is obvious that the gross profit of this industry has reached several hundred percent.”

     

  • 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.”

  • LVMH sues Hong Kong merchant over XLV wine range

    LVMH sues Hong Kong merchant over XLV wine range

    French luxury group LVMH is suing a wine merchant in Hong Kong over an alleged trademark infringement.bThe plaintiffs are suing over a wine range named “XLV”, established in collaboration between Cuvee XLV French Wine and Quentin-Louis, the son of fifth generation family member Xavier-Louis Vuitton.

    During a January 16 hearing in the High Court, LVMH claimed that the wine’s label design deliberately mimics the Louis Vuitton logo to mislead consumers. Cuvee XLV’s owner Wong Sau Ying has previously stated that the range has no relationship with the LV business, although the family connection is a factor in the wine sales.

    “The family is involved and that is important. In China trust is important – there are many imitations, but this brand can be trusted,” said Wong in a 2012 interview.

    Wong is pleading that the font size used on the XLV label differs from that of LV products.

    The case has been pending since 2008 when the label became apparent to the LVMH group.