French luxury group LVMH posts record sales, net profit for 2022

THE world’s top luxury group LVMH said on Thursday that its sales and net profit both hit new heights last year, driven by strong demand in Europe and the United States.

Sales came in at 79 billion euros (S$112.8 billion) and net profit at 14 billion euros for 2022 – both new records for the group, whose brands include Bulgari, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton and TAG Heuer.

“Europe, the United States and Japan rose sharply, benefiting from strong demand from local customers and the recovery of international travel. Asia was stable over the year due to developments in the health situation in China,” LVMH said in a statement.

“With the month of January having started well and despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment, LVMH is confident in its ability to continue the growth observed in 2022.”

LVMH is headed by French billionaire Bernard Arnault, who overtook Tesla and Twitter boss Elon Musk as the world’s richest man late last year.

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The maker of champagne, handbags, jewellery and other luxury goods is Europe’s most valuable company, with a market capitalisation that soared to 400 billion euros (S$564.2 billion) last week.

Arnault, 73, has reshuffled the company’s leadership in recent months, appointing his children to top jobs as the family tightens its hold on LVMH, a group born from the 1987 merger of trunk-maker Louis Vuitton and the wines and spirits group Moet Hennessy.

His eldest son, Antoine Arnault, was named CEO of holding company Christian Dior SE, which controls LVMH, in December, and also holds other positions within the group.

Earlier this month, he announced that his daughter, Delphine Arnault, would take over as head of the Dior perfume and fashion brand on Feb 1.

Dior’s current chief executive, Pietro Beccari, will take the reins of Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury brand in terms of sales, famous for its handbags bedecked with the initials “LV”.

Alexandre Arnault is an executive vice-president at jewellery brand Tiffany, while his brother Frederic is CEO of watchmaker Tag Heuer.

Another son, Jean Arnault, is director of watch development and marketing at Louis Vuitton.

LVMH boasts more than 75 brands, including fashion firm Kenzo and champagne maker Moet & Chandon. AFP