Keith Rolfe, CFO and COO of Lagos, is now at the jewelry brand’s helm while Steven takes on the role of executive chairman.
Bulgari, TAG Heuer Fuel Sales Growth at LVMH
The strong performance of Bulgari watches and jewelry plus TAG Heuer’s smartwatch helped drive a decent first half for LVMH.

Paris--The strong performance of Bulgari watches and jewelry plus TAG Heuer’s smartwatch helped drive a decent first half for LVMH.
Overall, the Paris-based luxury group saw sales rise but profits were flat, and regions outside the United States struggled.
LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton reported Wednesday that revenue for its Watches & Jewelry group increased from $1.71 billion in the first half of 2015 to $1.78 billion this year. It was an increase of 4 percent on both a reported and organic basis.
First half group profit was flat at $276.3 million.
LVMH mentioned both Bulgari and TAG Heuer when commenting on its results, stating that there was a “successful refocusing” of TAG Heuer’s core product range and an “excellent response” to new watches in some of its most popular lines, Carrera, Aquaracer and Formula 1.
The brand’s smartwatch, the “Connected,” which came out in November 2015, also continues to do well. LVMH said TAG has doubled its production capacity for the timepiece.
The performance of Bulgari was “well above the market,” driven by the success of the B Zero I and Diva lines and the reopening of the brand’s store on Bond Street in London.
LVMH said it is opening a new Bulgari jewelry workshop in Valenza, Italy.
The performance of Watches & Jewelry was in line with that of other segments of LVMH’s business, none of which had first half revenue growth that exceeded single digits.
The strongest-performing group, Wines & Spirits, recorded organic revenue growth of 9 percent while Perfumes & Cosmetics reported an 8 percent year-over-year increase in sales.
Revenue was up 5 percent for Selective Retailing, which includes experience-focused cosmetics chain Sephora, and was flat for Fashion & Leather Goods.
Region-wise, the United States was the second-largest market for the Paris-based luxury goods group, comprising 26 percent of total revenue in the first half of the year. Only Asia (excluding Japan) was bigger, at 28 percent.
The U.S. also was the strongest performing market for LVMH in the period, with year-over-year organic revenue growth of 7 percent. Sales were flat in Japan and Asia and up 5 percent in Europe.
Total revenue for LVMH was up 3 percent, from $18.47 billion to $19 billion.
Profit from recurring operations was flat.
The company said it has “confidence for (the remainder of) 2016, despite an uncertain economy (and) monetary and geopolitical context.”
The Latest

Alberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged in the armed robbery of a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and remains at large.

The “Kat Florence Luminas” will be offered together as one lot and could fetch up to $637,000.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Four directors were elected to the AGTA board and will serve three-year terms beginning in February.


Ken Citron joins the celebrity memorabilia-focused auction house ahead of its first week-long series of events in Abu Dhabi.

The Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

The auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.

Fine Jewelry 2027-2028 has more than 900 new styles, including silver, gold-filled, gold-plated sterling silver, and vermeil jewelry.

Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.

Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.

With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.

Laughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.

Gretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.

The California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.

A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.

The auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.

Zaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.

Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.

The British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.

The “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

Arnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.






















