Retail grows 15% at LVMH

Gavin Lipsith

Print Article E-Mail Article E-Mail Author

The group's Selective Retailing division, including DFS Group, delivers strong organic growth in the first half of the year

LVMH Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton has recorded a 10% increase in sales for the first six months of 2005, with sales its Selective Retailing division—including DFS Group and beauty chain Sephora—increasing by 12%. DFS's strong performance in Asia and Sephora's results in Europe drove the division's growth, the company said.

In terms of organic growth, with a comparable structure and exchange rates, Selective Retailing and Watches and Jewellery achieved the biggest sales increase of all LVMH divisions, up 15% on the first half of 2004.

Of its other divisions, LVMH recorded sales growth of 15% in Wines and Spirits, 8% in Fashion and Leathergoods, and 7% in Perfumes and Cosmetics.

The company said it would focus on developing market share for its leading brands and on launching new products in the second half of the year. It confirmed that it would aim to achieve a "tangible" increase in operating income this year.