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

Pete’s boundless curiosity extended beyond diamond cut and he was always eager to share his knowledge with others, no matter the topic.

Our Piece of the Week is Lagos’ “Bee” brooch that was seen on the red carpet for the first time on Sunday.

Trevor Jonathan Wright led a crew in a string of armed robberies targeting South Asian-owned jewelry stores on the East Coast.

Criminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.

The program recognizes rising professionals in the jewelry industry.


A new lifestyle section and a watch showcase have been added to this year’s event.

Avocados From Mexico is celebrating those who love to double-dip in game day guacamole with a 14-karat yellow gold tortilla chip necklace.

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

Petra Diamonds unearthed the 41.82-carat, Type IIb blue diamond at the Cullinan Mine.

The brand is trading its colorful fabric cords for Italian leather in its “Lasso” baby locket bracelets.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America’s popular webinar series is evolving in 2026.

The department store chain owes millions to creditors like David Yurman, Roberto Coin, Kering, and LVMH.

The award-winning actor’s visionary approach and creativity echo the spirit of Boucheron, the brand said.

Edge Retail Academy honored Burnell’s Fine Jewelry in Wichita, Kansas, with its annual award for business excellence.

In a market defined by more selective consumers, Sherry Smith shares why execution will be independent jewelers’ key to growth this year.

The family-owned jeweler’s new space is in a former wholesale produce market.

Ivel Sanchez Rivera, 52, has been arrested and charged in connection with the armed robbery of Tio Jewelers in Cape Coral, Florida.

The supplier’s online program allows customers to search and buy calibrated natural and lab-grown diamond melee, including in fancy shapes.

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

A monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite jewelry moments from the Golden Globes, and they are (mostly) white hot.

Yantzer is remembered for the profound influence he had on diamond cut grading as well as his contagious smile and quick wit.

The store closures are part of the retailer’s “Bold New Chapter” turnaround plan.

Through EventGuard, the company will offer event liability and cancellation insurance, including wedding coverage.

Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.

The credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.

Kimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.
























