Richemont Chair Shoots Down Reports of Acquisition by LVMH
The company reported record sales, driven by desire for classic lines like Cartier “Panthère” and “Alhambra” from Van Cleef & Arpels.

The Geneva-based company reported Friday that sales for its fiscal year ended March 31 hit an all-time high of €19.95 billion ($21.82 billion), up 19 percent year-over-year (14 percent at constant exchange rates).
Operating profit rose 34 percent to €5.03 billion ($5.50 billion).
Following the company’s release of its full-year results, Chairman Johann Rupert publicly refuted a report that appeared in a Swiss newspaper in February that the company was an acquisition target for competitor LVMH.
According to The Financial Times, he said Richemont is not for sale. He said he speaks with LVMH Chairman Bernard Arnault regularly and the two companies, “respect each other’s independence.”
Rupert also said Richemont turned down a deal proposed by bankers to merge with Kering two years ago.
During the fiscal year, the company’s jewelry brands—Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Buccellati—posted 21 percent sales growth (16 percent at constant exchange rates).
Richemont said the brands’ “iconic” collections outperformed: “Opera Tulle” and “Macri” at Buccellati, “Trinity,” “Panthère” and “Santos” at Cartier, and “Alhambra,” “Perlée” and “Fauna” at Van Cleef & Arpels.
During the fiscal year, Richemont reopened the Cartier flagship boutiques on Fifth Avenue in New York and in Paris and opened a new Van Cleef & Arpels flagship store in San Francisco.
Sales for Richemont’s watch brands, which include Vacheron Constantin, IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre, were up 13 percent (8 percent at constant exchange rates).
Like jewelry, it was sales of classic collections that drove watch sales, including “Riviera” for Baume & Mercier, pilot’s watches for IWC, “Reverso” for Jaeger-LeCoultre, and “Overseas” for Vacheron Constantin.
The company opened a new Jaeger-LeCoultre flagship stores in Beverly Hills, California, during the fiscal year.
Region-wise, Richemont’s sales in the Americas held up, growing 27 percent year-over-year against strong comps (89 percent sales growth) from the previous fiscal year.
The Americas is Richemont’s second-largest market.
Richemont said sales in the Americas slowed down in the second half of the year, partly due to the fact that Americans shopped overseas because of the strong U.S. dollar, while sales in its largest market, Asia Pacific, gained steam as the Chinese government relaxed COVID restrictions.
Channel-wise, Richemont saw growth in all distribution sectors, with sales in its company-owned stores rising 22 percent, online sales increasing 12 percent, and wholesale sales up 14 percent.
Looking ahead to the new fiscal year, Rupert said in the company’s full-year earnings release that he expects conditions to remain unsettled.
“Economic volatility and political uncertainty look set to remain features of the trading environment,” he said. “The group will therefore seek to maintain the necessary agility to manage fluctuating levels of demand.
“I am confident our maisons are well-positioned to meet strong demand, notably driven by a significant resumption of Chinese travel. Richemont is fortunate to own such a unique portfolio of maisons with excellent long-term prospects.”
The Latest

As part of the leadership transition, Sherry Smith will take on the role of vice president of coaching strategy and development.

It marks the third time the country has headed the Kimberley Process. Ghana will serve as vice chair.

The new Bulova x Stetson designs highlight two animals often associated with the American West—the bison and the Texas Longhorn.

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Its residency at Yamron Jewelers will run through May 2026.


From influential executives to innovative designers, we pay tribute to the people we said goodbye to this year.

The retailer is expanding into areas with large Indian and South Asian populations.

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

The Italian brand has opened its first flagship amid the peaks of the Dolomites in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.

The new curation at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County showcases rare gem and mineral specimens in their uncut, natural state.

The couple pleaded guilty to concealing at least $127 million in cash transactions at its precious metals businesses.

Consumers shared concerns about prices, inflation, tariffs, trade, and politics in the survey’s write-in response section.

In February 2026, the auction house will move its headquarters to the former Steinway Hall, a neoclassical landmark on Billionaires’ Row.

The new show will take place Jan. 23-25, 2026.

The former BHP Billiton leader and Gemfields chairman is remembered for his influential leadership throughout his 50-year mining career.

The LVMH-owned brand has partnered with the costume design union to revamp its award for 2026.

The luxury titan inked a deal to acquire an initial minority stake in the jewelry manufacturer with a pathway to full ownership by 2032.

The company’s curation of unsigned vintage and estate jewelry debuted at the Bloomingdale’s in Costa Mesa, California.

In the recent multi-shipment seizure, CBP also found counterfeit Audemars Piguet, Moncler, and Chrome Hearts items.

Helzberg’s Chief Retail Officer Mitch Maggart shared details about its tests of a new store concept rooted in an elevated luxury experience.

Jewelers of America execs and National Jeweler editors discuss tariffs, the sky-high gold price, and the engagement that broke the internet.

The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.

Laura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.

The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.

Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.

It purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.

The lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
























