Richemont Group posts 4% sales rise
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Richemont has announced its sales for the five months ended 31 August 2015 increased by 4 % at constant exchange rates.
Ahead of its Annual General Meeting held today in Geneva, Richemont announced that at actual exchange rates, sales rose by 16%, positively affected by the weakening of the euro against the US dollar and related currencies, as well as the strong performance of the Maisons’ boutiques.
The Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels Maisons performed “exceptionally well in a volatile environment”.
Following the agreement to merge the Net-A-Porter Group with YOOX announced on 31 March 2015, the figures in the table below exclude the Net-A-Porter Group’s sales in both periods. Richemont said that transaction is expected to be completed in October 2015.
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| Change at constant exchange rates versus prior period | Change at actual exchange rates versus prior period | |
| Sales by region | ||
| Europe | + 26 % | + 27 % |
| Middle-East and Africa | + 2 % | + 24 % |
| Asia-Pacific | – 18 % | – 2 % |
| Americas | + 2 % | + 22 % |
| Japan | + 48 % | + 53 % |
| Sales by distribution channel | ||
| Retail | + 14 % | + 28 % |
| Wholesale | – 6 % | + 5 % |
| Sales by business area | ||
| Jewellery Maisons | + 6 % | + 20 % |
| Specialist Watchmakers | – 1 % | + 10 % |
| Other | + 7 % | + 19 % |
| Total | + 4 % | + 16 % |
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According to Richemont, the following comments refer to changes at constant exchange rates:
- Sales performance was mixed, with double-digit increases in Europe and Japan offsetting decreases in Asia Pacific and soft demand in Americas and the Middle East.
- European sales benefited from good tourist numbers, helped by the weakness of the euro versus the US dollar and other currencies. In the Asia Pacific region, sales in Hong Kong and Macau were significantly lower.
- Mainland China resumed growth with retail sales growing at a strong double-digit rate, overcoming lower wholesale demand; other markets in the region saw positive developments.
- Sales growth in the Americas was subdued, supported by High Jewellery, Fashion & Accessories and e-commerce. Japan enjoyed strong momentum, both from local and tourist demand, helped by a weak Yen.
- Retail was strong overall, with many Maisons reporting double-digit growth supported by strong jewellery, High Jewellery, and Leather sales. Of particular note was the high growth in sales through the Maisons’ own boutiques in Europe and Japan.
- The marked decrease in wholesale sales reflected the negative trend in the Asia Pacific region, where the environment continues to be extremely challenging.
The Specialist Watchmakers suffered from weak demand in the Asia Pacific region, offsetting good momentum elsewhere.
Richemont’s other businesses reported good growth overall, with the negative impact on sales from ongoing reorganisations at Alfred Dunhill and Lancel being more than counterbalanced by the positive performances at Montblanc, Chloé and Peter Millar.
Richemont’s interim results for the six-month period to 30 September 2015 will be released on 6 November 2015.
