Connect with us

Global Banking and Finance Review is an online platform offering news, analysis, and opinion on the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the banking and finance industry worldwide. The platform covers a diverse range of topics, including banking, insurance, investment, wealth management, fintech, and regulatory issues. The website publishes news, press releases, opinion and advertorials on various financial organizations, products and services which are commissioned from various Companies, Organizations, PR agencies, Bloggers etc. These commissioned articles are commercial in nature. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes. It does not reflect the views or opinion of our website and is not to be considered an endorsement or a recommendation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information provided with respect to your individual or personal circumstances. Please seek Professional advice from a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. We link to various third-party websites, affiliate sales networks, and to our advertising partners websites. When you view or click on certain links available on our articles, our partners may compensate us for displaying the content to you or make a purchase or fill a form. This will not incur any additional charges to you. To make things simpler for you to identity or distinguish advertised or sponsored articles or links, you may consider all articles or links hosted on our site as a commercial article placement. We will not be responsible for any loss you may suffer as a result of any omission or inaccuracy on the website. .

Business

Analysis-LVMH’s caution points to Americans’ waning lust for luxury

Published : , on

Analysis-LVMH’s caution points to Americans’ waning lust for luxury

By Mimosa Spencer

PARIS (Reuters) – Luxury shoppers in the United States are curtailing purchases of high-end fashion and leather goods, LVMH’s first-quarter sales report showed, adding to evidence that a strong, months-long, post-pandemic splurge may be ending.

Shares in Europe’s most valuable listed company rose nearly 5% to record highs in early trade on Thursday after it reported a 17% jump in sales, thanks to a sharp rebound in China following the end of COVID-19 lockdowns. [.EU]

U.S. revenue grew 8% over the quarter but the French group’s finance chief Jean-Jacques Guiony said most of that was down to brisk business at its less exclusive Sephora beauty chain.

“For the rest, the business is slowing down a bit,” he said, citing softer demand for fashion and leather goods – where sales to U.S. shoppers both at home and abroad were “flattish” – as well as jewellery.

“Maybe interest rate rises are taking their toll on spending,” Guiony said.

European labels including LVMH’s Louis Vuitton and Dior, as well as Chanel and Hermes have been riding a wave of strong demand from Americans, who emerged from lockdowns with savings and a desire to splash out on designer labels.

LVMH’s U.S. sales grew 15% last year, and the U.S. market accounted for 27% of overall revenue, as shoppers shrugged off rising prices and turbulent markets.

High demand prompted a flurry of investments, with brands including rivals Hermes and Kering-owned Gucci opening new retail spaces in sprawling malls like American Dream in New Jersey and South Coast Plaza shopping centre in California, and in cities like Austin, Texas.

But the spending spree from shoppers is beginning to show signs of slowing.

Credit card data from Citi released this week showed that U.S. luxury spending in March declined to the lowest monthly rate in nearly three years, down 18% as fewer people splashed out on high-end goods.

Younger shoppers, who drew on savings during lockdowns are now under more pressure from rising prices than older generations with higher incomes, Citi analysts said.

BIGGEST BEAR STORY

The United States is “the biggest bear story” in the luxury sector, HSBC said in a recent note, though it cautioned fears of a sharp downturn may be exaggerated.

“(The) softer U.S. consumer is an important caution point,” said Oliver Chen, an analyst with Cowen, flagging possible risks for Tapestry and Versace owner Capri due to their exposure to the handbags segment.

LVMH saw a particular slowdown in U.S. demand for its Hennessy cognac, as a steep price increase, meant to offset rising energy and glass costs, were “probably a bit difficult to absorb by some clients”, Guiony said.

He added the group is taking a cautious approach to price increases this year — not just for cognac.

LVMH will also soon show off a hefty investment in U.S. jewellery group Tiffany, which it bought for $16 billion in 2021, with the reopening of the New York flagship store after three years of renovation.

The store, which accounted for around 10% of Tiffany sales before closing for the refurbishment, is likely to reopen near the end of the month.

“It’s probably the most emblematic luxury store in the world,” said Guiony.

He said that developing Tiffany’s sales through product innovation and expanding and renovating stores would be a priority, while margin expansion would likely kick in at a later stage, in a strategy similar to that it applied to Bulgari.

Elliott Savage, portfolio manager of U.S.-based fund YCG Investments, which holds shares in LVMH and other luxury brands, said a weakening U.S. luxury market in the near term could present an opportunity for dominant players to take market share.

“It could actually end up being better (for LVMH) in terms of strengthening their position,” Savage told Reuters.

LVMH’s luxury divisions, which span fashion, leather goods, watches and jewellery, have been gaining on rivals in recent years, almost doubling their global market share to 22% from 12% between 2018-2023, according to Jefferies.

Many high-end labels are still moving further upmarket and rolling out new services for their wealthiest clients, seen as more resilient to economic headwinds.

Gucci this week opened a salon catering to high-end clients in Melrose Place in Los Angeles where red carpet-ready evening wear is displayed on mirrored pedestals. The group plans to open nine more similar boutiques including in New York and Shanghai.

 

(Reporting by Mimosa Spencer and Silvia Aloisi; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

Jesse Pitts has been with the Global Banking & Finance Review since 2016, serving in various capacities, including Graphic Designer, Content Publisher, and Editorial Assistant. As the sole graphic designer for the company, Jesse plays a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of Global Banking & Finance Review. Additionally, Jesse manages the publishing of content across multiple platforms, including Global Banking & Finance Review, Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.

Global Banking & Finance Review

 

Why waste money on news and opinions when you can access them for free?

Take advantage of our newsletter subscription and stay informed on the go!


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Recent Post