Richemont(US:CFRUY) Huan Qiu Wang·2025-05-19 06:11Group 1 - Richemont reported a 4% increase in revenue to €21.4 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, with operating profit declining by 1% to €3.76 billion, resulting in an operating margin of 20.9%, down 240 basis points year-on-year [1] - The Asia-Pacific market, particularly China, saw a significant revenue decline of 13%, with the Chinese market alone dropping by 23%, marking it as the only core market with double-digit decline [1] - CEO Nicolas Bos acknowledged the competitive threat from local brand Laopuhuang, emphasizing the importance of capturing market share from the non-branded segment in the jewelry market [1] Group 2 - Laopuhuang, established in 2009, is recognized as the leading brand in traditional gold craftsmanship in China and has been listed in the "Hurun Report" for three consecutive years since 2023 [3] - Morgan Stanley's report highlighted Laopuhuang's growing competitive threat to Cartier, which contributes over half of Richemont's sales and more than 70% of its profits, attributing the pressure on Cartier to the performance of Laopuhuang in the Chinese market [3] - Laopuhuang's single-store sales are projected to reach $45.5 million in 2024, surpassing Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Tiffany, indicating its potential to compete with international luxury brands [3] Group 3 - Laopuhuang's rapid growth is attributed to its precise positioning as a high-end brand and its cultural heritage, resonating with the rising "Guochao" cultural pride among local consumers [5] - Unlike European jewelry brands that primarily use K-gold, Laopuhuang's products are made of pure gold or gold-containing materials, making them more appealing to Chinese consumers [5] - Sales for Laopuhuang are projected to reach $3.3 billion by 2026, representing an 18-fold increase over five years [5]