Key Takeaways Luxury boom is driven by pricing power, scarcity and affluent consumers who remain less price-sensitive.Global tourism and rising wealth diversify demand, lifting premium goods and experiences worldwide.TPR, SIG and HST reflect these trends across handbags, fine jewelry and high-end travel.The global luxury market is entering a renewed phase of strength after navigating a period of cyclical softness. High-end retail stocks are once again attracting investor interest as spending by affluent con ...

Geoffroy van Raemdonck, former chief executive officer of Neiman Marcus Group, has joined Verneek, an AI tech company that helps retailers and brands deepen their customer engagement and helps shoppers discover products. Van Raemdonck has joined as both a member of the advisory board and a strategic investor. More from WWD Verneek credited van Raemdonck for “shaping and accelerating the transformation of some of the world’s most recognizable brands across the full spectrum of global premium, luxury and ...

Core Insights - Kering and Ardian have finalized a joint venture agreement for a prominent property located at 715-717 Fifth Avenue, New York City, encompassing approximately 115,000 sq. ft (10,700 sq. m) of luxury retail space [2][3] - Kering will hold a 40% stake in the joint venture, while Ardian will hold 60%, with the transaction valued at USD 900 million (EUR 766 million) and net proceeds for Kering amounting to USD 690 million (EUR 587 million) [3][4] - This partnership is part of Kering's strategy to enhance its real estate portfolio and financial flexibility, while Ardian views this investment as a strategic expansion into the U.S. market [4][5] Company Overview - Kering is a global luxury group with a diverse portfolio of brands including Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta, generating revenue of €17.2 billion in 2024 and employing 47,000 people [6] - Ardian is a global private markets firm managing or advising $196 billion for over 1,890 clients, focusing on providing investment solutions that adapt to new economic dynamics [10]

Core Insights - Kering and Ardian have finalized a joint venture agreement for a prominent property located at 715-717 Fifth Avenue, New York City, encompassing approximately 115,000 sq. ft (10,700 sq. m) of luxury retail space [2][3] - Kering will hold a 40% stake in the joint venture, while Ardian will hold 60%, with the transaction valued at USD 900 million (EUR 766 million) and net proceeds for Kering amounting to USD 690 million (EUR 587 million) [3][4] - This partnership enhances Kering's real estate portfolio management strategy and provides financial flexibility, while Ardian views this investment as a strategic expansion into the U.S. market [4][5] Company Overview - Kering is a global luxury group with a diverse portfolio of brands including Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta, generating revenue of €17.2 billion in 2024 and employing 47,000 people [6] - Ardian is a diversified private markets firm managing or advising $196 billion for over 1,890 clients globally, focusing on providing investment solutions that adapt to new economic dynamics [9]

MILAN — Style Capital is exiting luxury retailer LuisaViaRoma after four years, WWD has learned. Sources said current chief executive officer Tommaso Maria Andorlini is acquiring the private equity firm’s 40 percent stake in the company and has committed to paving the way for future growth amid a downturn in luxury spending that has hit retailers globally. More from WWD UPDATE: Style Capital Exits LuisaViaRoma, CEO Commits to Futureproof Business Model LuisaViaRoma did not return WWD’s requests for comment ...

Saks Global is playing the waiting game again. The retailer — which has been on the hot seat for slow and past-due payments to vendors for more than a year — finds itself at least temporarily on Hilldun Corp.’s “do not approve” list. More from WWD “They skipped two weeks of payments,” said Gary Wassner, chief executive officer of the factoring firm, in an interview on Tuesday. Wassner stressed that the nonpayment “wasn’t just out of the blue.” “They asked if they could skip one week for specific interna ...

“In our view, the company’s competitive advantage will weaken as competitors with more financial capacity increase share, which will require additional effort and resources to reengage its customer base,” Carvalho and O’Neill said.In September S&P Global ratings analysts Frederico Carvalho and Amanda O’Neill upgraded their July assessment, and no longer hold that the bond maneuver was “tantamount to a default.” But they did reiterate their liquidity concerns, based on the higher debt and the prospect that t ...

Watches of Switzerland ( WOSGF ) is a family of retailers in the luxury watch and jewellery category. When I wrote my first article about WOSGF in August this year, fears regarding the tense tariffThe stock market and value investing are my greatest passions. I bought my first shares at the age of 11, and since then, my fascination with capital markets has only grown stronger. Today, I look back on nine years of in-depth experience. Every day, I dive into company research, analyze annual reports, listen to ...

Core Insights - Watches of Switzerland (WOSGF) operates in the luxury watch and jewellery retail sector, facing challenges related to tariffs and market conditions [1] Company Overview - WOSGF is a family of retailers specializing in luxury watches and jewellery [1] - The company has been analyzed in the context of market fears regarding tariffs [1] Investment Approach - The investment philosophy emphasizes long-term value investing, focusing on undervalued quality businesses with strong fundamentals [1] - The approach is influenced by renowned investor Warren Buffett, prioritizing companies with solid business models and sustainable growth [1]

Core Insights - Watches of Switzerland Group PLC (WOSGF) is a leading luxury-watch retailer with a strong presence in the UK and US markets, focusing on high-end timepieces and exceptional customer service [1] Financial Performance - On December 4, 2025, WOSGF reported earnings per share of $0.25, exceeding the estimated $0.23, indicating strong financial performance [2] - For the first half of 2026, the company experienced a 10% increase in group revenue to £845 million, primarily driven by a 20% revenue growth in the US market, which accounted for nearly 60% of profitability [3] - Despite a decrease in EBIT margin to 8.1%, adjusted earnings before interest and taxes rose by 6% to £69 million, with strong free cash flow reported at £48 million, reflecting financial stability [4][6] Market Valuation Metrics - WOSGF has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 20.85, a price-to-sales ratio of about 0.66, and an enterprise value to sales ratio of around 1.01, indicating its market valuation relative to earnings and sales [5] - The company's debt-to-equity ratio is approximately 1.20, suggesting balanced financial leverage, while a current ratio of around 1.95 indicates a strong ability to cover short-term liabilities [5]