By
Reuters API
Published
Apr 10, 2019
Download
Download the article
Print
Text size

Louis Vuitton keeps rivals on their toes with strong first quarter

By
Reuters API
Published
Apr 10, 2019

Louis Vuitton owner LVMH on Wednesday set a high bar for rival luxury goods companies trying to capitalize on Chinese demand for high-end handbags and clothing, with stronger-than-expected sales growth in the first quarter.


Louis Vuitton


The conglomerate, which owns other labels such as Christian Dior in fashion or Krug in champagne, was boosted by a strong performance in its leather goods unit in particular, while sales of spirits like cognac improved from a quarter earlier.

Its performance bodes well for other companies which derive much of their profit from high-margin handbags, and which have proved a hit with consumers in recent years, like Kering’s Gucci or Birkin bag maker Hermes.

The group, which cited a “buoyant environment” at the started of the year, posted revenue of 12.5 billion euros ($14.1 billion) in the period, up 16 percent as reported.

They rose 11 percent on a like-for-like basis, which strips out currency swings and the impact of acquisitions or disposals, beating analyst forecasts and marking an acceleration from the 9 percent growth notched up a quarter earlier.

The company did not break out its performance by region, with more details due during a conference call on Thursday.

But it had previously flagged enduring demand in China at the start of 2019, a key market for luxury brands now trying to increasingly court Chinese consumers on their home turf.

Sales at LVMH’s leather goods unit, which is largely driven by Vuitton, rose 15 percent, beating the roughly 11 to 12 percent growth expected by analysts.
 

© Thomson Reuters 2024 All rights reserved.