The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
Jewelry now a third of Richemont’s sales
The category continues to increase in importance for the luxury goods conglomerate, which saw sales at Cartier, Van Cleef and Giampiero Bodino grow 18 percent in the first half of the year.
Geneva--Richemont reported strong sales growth among its jewelry brands in the first half of the year, noting that jewelry now accounts for one-third of its total sales.
Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and Giampiero Bodino posted an 18 percent year-over-year increase in sales to $3.42 billion in the period ended Sept. 30. Sales were strong at the company’s own boutiques, with both jewelry and Cartier and Van Cleef watches selling well.
Richemont’s luxury watch brands, meanwhile, continued to struggle, hampered by declining demand in the Asia-Pacific region.
Sales for Richemont’s specialist watchmakers rose 8 percent to $1.88 billion in the first half of the year, with favorable exchange rate effects offsetting slower sales. Richemont owns Vacheron Constantin, Baume & Mercier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, A. Lange & Söhne, Officine Panerai, IWC, Piaget and Roger Dubuis.
Total sales for the Geneva-based luxury goods conglomerate rose 15 percent year-over-year to $6.25 million, though that growth totaled only 3 percent at constant exchange rates (when factoring for currency fluctuations.) Profit grew 22 percent.
In a company statement issued Friday, Chairman Johann Rupert called the company’s first-half results “satisfactory” but predicted the rest of the year would be challenging.
In the month of October, Richemont’s sales declined 1 percent at actual exchange rates and fell 6 percent at constant exchange rates. Jewelry continued to outperform watches, and Richemont continued to see more sales growth at its own boutiques than it does via its wholesale channel.
Rupert said for the second half of the year, the group expects the situation to remain “challenging,” particularly at wholesale.
“Our Maisons (brands) will continue to pursue their differentiated marketing strategies with their planned investments, increasing the ability for each to react to a volatile environment,” he said.
Among its jewelry brands, the company also is dealing with a management transition just as the holiday season approaches.
As reported Friday, Cartier CEO Stanislas Quercize has stepped down for personal reasons and will be replaced on Jan. 1 by Cyrille Vigneron. Vigneron now heads LVMH Japan but, before that, spent 25 years working at Richemont, primarily with Cartier.
The Latest

The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.

The addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

The necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.


The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.

Jewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.

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

Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.

The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.

Its opening marks the completion of the retailer’s new 11,000-square-foot store in the Texas capital.

Respondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.

Senior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.

The first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.

The online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.

She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.

Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.

A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.

The retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.

The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.

While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.