MajorsDec 24, 2024
Nordstrom Family, Partner to Take Retailer Private in $6B DealMembers of the founding family have partnered with Mexican retail company El Puerto de Liverpool to acquire Nordstrom.
FinancialsFeb 17, 2021
Kering’s 2020 Revenue Sinks Despite Online Growth
But jewelry brands Boucheron and Qeelin continued to perform well in the Asia Pacific region.
A Nudo Cascade necklace by Kering-owned brand Pomellato, featuring peridot, white topaz, and tsavorite garnet
Paris—Kering ended its fiscal year on a low note, posting a decline in revenue, but the luxury titan’s online sales continue to climb.
The company behind Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and other high-end brands saw a decline in overall revenue in the fourth quarter and the full year.
Fourth-quarter revenue totaled €4 billion ($4.82 billion), an 8 percent decline compared with €4.36 billion ($5.25 billion) a year ago.
Full-year revenue fell to €13.1 billion ($15.76 billion), an 18 percent decrease compared with €15.88 billion ($19.11 billion) a year ago.
Retail sales overall were down 16 percent year-over-year, attributed to store closures and a halt in tourism, though the company saw a “sharp rebound” in the second half led by North America and Asia Pacific.
Wholesale sales were down 17 percent on a comparable basis.
Online sales, meanwhile, were particularly strong, up 68 percent year-over-year, accounting for 13 percent of total sales.
In North America, online sales grew 89 percent on a comparable basis, accounting for 24 percent of retail sales compared with 13 percent a year ago.
“In a year of disruption, Kering demonstrated remarkable resilience and agility,” said CEO François-Henri Pinault in a press release about the results.
“We achieved a solid top-line recovery in the second half, we protected our margins while continuing to invest in our houses and growth platforms, our cash flow generation remained elevated, and we further strengthened the group’s financial structure.”
The company’s watch and jewelry brands, including Pomellato and Boucheron, fall into its “other houses” division, alongside Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga.
Full-year revenue in the “others” division totaled €2.28 billion ($2.74 billion), a 9 percent decrease on a comparable basis, while quarterly revenue totaled €693.1 million ($834 million), a 1 percent decrease compared with last year.
In this division, retail sales were down 5 percent for the full year while wholesale revenue fell 13 percent.
Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga were top performers, posting double-digit growth in retail and wholesale as the brands expanded their store network in Asia Pacific and North America while seeing a boost in online sales.
The jewelry houses suffered due to their exposure to the Western European market, an area still under COVID-19-related restrictions, while sales growth in Asia was strong.
Boucheron performed well in the Asia Pacific region, and Qeelin sales climbed due to a strong recovery in mainland China, said Kering, while its watch brands are focusing on prime distribution.
By region, overall sales in North America were
down 8 percent while sales in Western Europe fell 28 percent.
Sales in the Asia Pacific region slipped 7 percent while sales in Japan sank 29 percent.
Kering did not provide financial guidance for the year ahead, but Pinault said: “More than ever, I am convinced that our strategy and business model are perfectly in sync with the current and future trends of the luxury universe.”
Sales in the Asia Pacific region slipped 7 percent while sales in Japan sank 29 percent.
Kering did not provide financial guidance for the year ahead, but Pinault said: “More than ever, I am convinced that our strategy and business model are perfectly in sync with the current and future trends of the luxury universe.”
More on Financials
The Latest
MajorsDec 24, 2024
Boucheron Bets on Las VegasThe brand has opened its second U.S. location in the Fontainebleau resort and casino.
EditorsDec 24, 2024
The Spectrum Jewels I Want to Find Under the Tree Associate Editor Lauren McLemore highlights pieces from the AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards she’d be thrilled to unwrap on Christmas.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
SourcingDec 24, 2024
Gemfields to Temporarily Suspend Emerald MiningThe move is one of several cost-cutting measures outlined by the company as it faces a weaker luxury market and other challenges.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsDec 23, 2024
Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey Stars in The 1916 Company’s New CampaignThe retailer’s “On the Clock” campaign celebrates how time, precision, and purpose come together.
EditorsDec 23, 2024
My Favorite Piece of the Week Jewels of 2024Associate Editor Natalie Francisco chose her 12 favorite Piece of the Week picks from the year gone by.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
GradingDec 23, 2024
GIA Adds Filler Identification to Emerald ReportsLab clients have the option to request this addition on their emerald reports.
Events & AwardsDec 20, 2024
Two Participants Complete Inaugural Ella Klein InternshipJamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
IndependentsDec 19, 2024
Michigan’s DeVries Jewelers Unveils New Location in Time for the HolidaysCo-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
CrimeDec 19, 2024
Alleged Jewelry Thieves Attempt Rowboat EscapeThe man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
Events & AwardsDec 17, 2024
Chanel to Receive Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceThe luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
CrimeDec 17, 2024
‘Black Bin Crew’ Robbers Get 14-16 Years in Prison The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
