LVMH Posts Muted Q3 Growth, Jewelry Sales Slow
The luxury titan pointed to softening luxury sales, especially in the U.S. and Europe.
Declining demand for luxury handbags and its wine and spirits dragged down its results.
The luxury conglomerate noted softening luxury sales worldwide, highlighting the United States and Europe in particular.
Here are four notable takeaways from the company’s most recent earnings report.
LVMH put on a so-so third quarter performance but saw growth in the first nine months of the fiscal year.
LVMH reported revenue growth of 1 percent year-over-year (9 percent on an organic basis) to €19.96 billion ($21.14 billion) in the third quarter.
Its fashion and leather goods division posted slower growth in the quarter compared with its double-digit jump in Q2.
Its wine and spirit sales tumbled, which it attributed to demand waning post-COVID and a tougher U.S. market, especially for cognac sales.
Its balance sheet was brighter for the first nine months, with revenue up 10 percent (14 percent on an organic basis) to €62.21 billion ($65.9 billion).
Jewelry and watch sales faltered in Q3.
In the third quarter, revenue in the watches and jewelry segment was down 5 percent year-over-year to €2.52 billion ($2.67 billion) on a reported basis but up 3 percent on an organic basis.
In the first nine months, revenue in the category totaled €7.95 billion ($8.42 billion), up 5 percent (9 percent on an organic basis).
Its jewelry portfolio includes Bulgari, Chaumet, Repossi, Fred, and Tiffany & Co.
After the reopening of Tiffany’s New York flagship, dubbed “The Landmark,” the brand continued to revamp its store network, opening two new stores in Tokyo.
Its new “Lock” collection continued its worldwide rollout. It also launched the second part of the “Blue Book: Out of the Blue” high jewelry collection.
Bulgari, which has been celebrating the 75th anniversary of its “Serpenti” collection, saw “strong growth,” said LVMH.
To honor the milestone, it held a new exhibition in Dubai, following shows in Shanghai, New York, and Seoul.
Bulgari’s recently launched “Mediterranea” high jewelry collection put on an “outstanding performance,” said LVMH.
Chaumet held its “A Golden Age: 1965-1985” retrospective exhibition at its 12 Vendôme location in Paris while Fred debuted “Audacious Blue,” the brand’s first lab-grown blue diamonds.
Both brands saw strong growth, the company said.
As for watches, TAG Heuer opened a flagship store in New York while Hublot served as the official timekeeper for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.
Zenith launched its limited-edition “Defy Chroma” collection.
U.S. sales growth was also muted.
U.S. sales were up 2 percent in the third quarter and up 3 percent in the first nine months on an organic basis.
The U.S. is LVMH’s second largest market in terms of revenue, just behind Asia.
The U.S. accounted for 24 percent of revenue, down from 26 percent in the previous first nine months.
For the first nine months, LVMH reported double-digit organic growth in Europe, Japan, and the rest of Asia.
LVMH remains silent on its financial future.
As in previous quarters, the company did not provide fiscal guidance for the year ahead, noting only, “In an uncertain economic and geopolitical environment, the group is confident in the continuation of its growth and will maintain a strategy focused on continuously enhancing the desirability of its brands, drawing on the authenticity and quality of its products, excellence in distribution and agile organization.”
As for its future plans, the company said it will rely on the power of its brands and the talent of its employees to strengthen its leadership position in the luxury goods market.
The Latest
The grading lab said the search for her successor is underway.
In this special op-ed, designer Jules Kim calls on big brands to collaborate with independent creators instead of copying their designs.
Several jewelry designers are lending a helping hand to charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
A pioneering figure in gemology, he is remembered for his spirit of generosity, curiosity, and joy.
Schneider brings over 20 years of luxury and fashion industry experience to his role as a key member of the brand’s global leadership team.
Gemfields said the Zambian government revoked the 2019 suspension of the tax with no warning.
A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
With versions in 18-karat gold and platinum, the wearables company is blending health technology and fine jewelry.
The executive brings more than two decades of industry experience to the role.
The New York City-based retailer is bringing its curation of jewels to a pop-up shop at Love Binetti in Palm Beach, Florida.
Created by JA and DCA, the fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
Adrien Brody received his first Golden Globe while wearing the “Mozi” brooch, which depicts a spill of traditional Chinese calligraphy ink.
The pair will work together to support independent retailers in India with marketing assets, training materials, and other tools.
Officers in Champlain, New York valued the jewels, if genuine, at nearly $30,000.
The “Moonlight Rhapsody” collection is overflowing with gemstones, from raw opal to morganite and spessartite.
The seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
The artist collaborated with industry creatives on the project, which features five fictional stories and five corresponding paintings.
Nine jewelers donated jewels for a raffle to support the Children’s Hospital Foundation at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Miss Piggy shared her thoughts on being fabulous, the importance of accessories, and how to be your own cheerleader.
“Promise by Effy” includes fashion jewelry and engagement rings.
The Texas-based jeweler is closing all three locations.
Zendaya’s ring, featuring an east-west set elongated cushion-cut diamond, is said to be from British designer Jessica McCormack.
Micro-influencers, customer reviews, and shoppable videos are going to be key to getting customers’ attention, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Garnet is comprised of a group of minerals, giving those with a birthday in January options when it comes to their birthstone.
The annual award, created in memory of business coach William “Wag” Wagner, went to a retailer in Fairfax, Virginia.
Retailers and vendors can ask customers to make a donation by rounding up to the next dollar at checkout.