Sales at Richemont’s jewelry and watch brands jumped in the April-to-August period amid a strong improvement in Asia.
Revenue from “jewelry maisons” — Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels — rose 16% year on year during the five months, the Geneva-based luxury group reported. Sales at Richemont’s specialist watchmakers, including Piaget and Vacheron Constantin, advanced 6%.
The increase at the jewelry maisons was one of the main factors behind Richemont’s overall 10% sales hike for the period, the company said Wednesday.
Group sales saw double-digit increases in most Asia-Pacific markets, including China and Hong Kong. This was partly because of a comparison with last year’s weak numbers, when the company bought back inventory from retail partners that were overstocked, Richemont explained.
Sales also grew in Japan, reflecting higher spending by locals and tourists. In Europe, the increase was 3% amid contrasting performances across the region and the negative impact of a strong euro on tourist spending. Meanwhile, double-digit growth in the UK reflected the weakening of the pound.
