COMPAGNIE FINANCIERE RICHEMONT COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13 SEPTEMBER 2017
RICHEMONT REPORTS FIVE MONTHS SALES AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Compagnie Financière Richemont SA's Annual General Meeting will be held later today in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ahead of that meeting, the Group announces that its sales for the five months ended 31 August 2017 increased by 12% at constant exchange rates and by 10% at actual exchange rates. Excluding the exceptional inventory buy-backs in the comparative period, constant currency sales increased by 7% for the period.
Current trading - five month period ended 31 August 2017
Change at constant exchange rates versus prior period * | Change at actual exchange rates versus prior period | |
Sales by region | ||
Europe | +3% | +3% |
Asia Pacific | +23% | +22% |
Americas | +9% | +9% |
Japan | +11% | +6% |
Middle-East and Africa | +2% | +1% |
Sales by distribution channel | ||
Retail | +12% | +10% |
Wholesale | +11% | +11% |
Sales by segment | ||
Jewellery Maisons | +17% | +16% |
Specialist Watchmakers | +7% | +6% |
Other | +3% | +2% |
Total Sales | +12% | +10% |
* Movements at constant exchange rates are calculated by translating underlying sales in local currencies into euros in both the current five-month period and the comparative period at the average exchange rates applicable for the financial year ended 31 March 2017.
The following comments on the Group's performance refer to year-on-year movements at constant exchange rates.
The double digit sales growth during the first five months was primarily driven by strong performance in the Jewellery Maisons and easier comparative figures.
Sales increased in all regions, led by Asia Pacific. The strong performance in Asia Pacific was supported by double digit increases in most markets, including China and Hong Kong, where a large part of the exceptional inventory buy-backs took place in the comparative period. The 3% growth in Europe reflects contrasted performances within the region as well as the emerging negative impact of a strong euro on tourist spending. In the United Kingdom, however, sales grew at a double digit rate benefitting from favourable currency movements. In Japan, growth reflected higher domestic and tourist spending. Sales in the Middle East showed subdued growth, impacted by geopolitical uncertainties.
Retail sales increased in most regions, with solid growth in Asia Pacific, Japan and the Americas. Retail sales were driven by strong performances in the Jewellery Maisons and the Specialist Watchmakers as well as by the reopening of the Cartier flagship stores in New York and Tokyo a year ago. The 11% increase in wholesale sales primarily reflects the impact of the non-recurrence of the exceptional inventory buy-backs.
Richemont's other businesses reported sales growth overall, with most Maisons showing continued progress.
The results for the six-months ending 30 September 2017 will be announced on 10 November 2017.
| Provider | Channel | Contact | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Tensid EQS Ltd., Switzerland www.tensid.ch |
newsbox.ch www.newsbox.ch |
Provider/Channel related enquiries marco@tensid.ch +41 41 763 00 50 |
