Richemont’s Q1 Jewelry Sales Up 2%
In contrast, the luxury giant’s watch sales fell 14 percent.

The company was up against tough comparatives, as last year’s Q1 sales were up 19 percent.
The luxury titan said this quarter’s performance demonstrates its “resilience in a continuing uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical environment.”
For the first quarter ending June 30, Richemont posted sales of €5.27 billion ($5.73 billion), down 1 percent year-over-year at actual exchange rates (up 1 percent at constant exchange rates).
Sales in all regions, except Asia Pacific, were on the rise compared to the prior period, led by Japan with sales up 42 percent in the region.
Its quarterly performance was dragged down in part by declining sales in the Asia Pacific region, down 19 percent at actual exchange rates (down 18 percent at constant exchange rates), with sales in China, Hong Kong, and Macau combined falling 27 percent in the quarter.
The decline in the region was due to low levels of consumer confidence and strong comparatives, said Richemont.
In the Americas, sales were up 11 percent (up 10 percent at constant exchange rates), which Richemont said reflected sustained domestic demand across all distribution channels.
Overall, retail sales were flat year-over-year, while online sales were up 6 percent. Wholesale sales fell 6 percent.
Richemont’s jewelry brands, Buccellati, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels, saw sales increase 2 percent year-over-year (up 4 percent at constant exchange rates).
The company named new CEOs for two of its jewelry brands earlier this month.
On Sept. 1, Louis Ferla will take on the role of Cartier CEO, while Catherine Rénier will step in as CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels.
Richemont’s watch brands are: A. Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis, and Vacheron Constantin.
Sales in the category fell 14 percent in the first quarter (down 13 percent at constant exchange rates).
A. Lange & Söhne and Vacheron Constantin were particularly resilient, said Richemont.
Richemont did not provide guidance for the second quarter of the fiscal year.
The Latest

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.


The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.

The brand is marking its 50th anniversary with a limited-edition bangle, high jewelry suites, new collections, and more.

Goldfarb said changes in the industry, coupled with his age and the updates needed to modernize his business, drove his decision.

Longtime LVMH executive Michael Burke has stepped into the role.

Central topics of next week’s event include climate action, labor rights, artisan preservation, and value retention in producing countries.

Vickie Rokkos has joined the jewelry company as its new national sales director of North America.

Turbulence will be the new baseline for luxury as it faces its biggest potential setbacks in 15 years, a recent report said.

Sponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply

The “For the Love of Fruits” collection features five fruit pendants, each holding a different meaning.

Diamonds and crimes (some involving diamonds) top the list of National Jeweler’s most popular stories halfway through the year.

They discovered “The Dash Diamond,” named for their dog, at the Crater of Diamonds State Park earlier this month.

The “Les Pétales” collection imagines roses caught mid-bloom as a tribute to nature’s beauty.

Luxury brands charge thousands for their shoes and handbags. Jewelers pricing diamond products should take note, Peter Smith writes.

Rotenberg was an active member of the American Gem Society and an accomplished appraiser who also worked with therapy dogs at a hospital.