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 ...

Core Viewpoint - The competitive advantage of Saks Global is expected to weaken as competitors with greater financial resources increase their market share, necessitating additional efforts to retain customers [1] Financial Performance - Saks Global is under financial strain, with $4.7 billion in debt, which hampers its ability to procure inventory and pay for already ordered goods [3][6] - A $600 million deal with bondholders in June provided some financial support but did not alleviate liquidity concerns [2][3] - Sales at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus have declined by double digits from January 2024 to October 2025, while competitors like Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom have gained market share [8] Vendor Relationships - The company is experiencing significant issues with vendor relationships, leading to inventory shortages and financial instability [10][12] - An 18-month backlog of overdue payments to suppliers has caused vendors to reconsider their partnerships, impacting inventory supply [11][12] - The slow payment process has made Saks Global less attractive to vendors, further exacerbating its sales decline [9][10] Management and Strategy - The leadership team at Saks Global has undergone multiple changes, which has contributed to operational turmoil [4][16] - The company aims to achieve $600 million in annual cost reductions, but this may require significant upfront spending and time to realize savings [17][19] - Analysts express skepticism about the effectiveness of the merger and integration strategy, fearing it may lead to a loss of brand identity across its luxury department stores [20][21] Market Position and Competition - Saks Global's sales performance has been weaker than expected, with competitors capitalizing on its struggles [6][8] - The company is reportedly seeking a buyer for a minority stake in Bergdorf Goodman, which could impact its financial reporting [9] - There are concerns that the merging of operations may dilute the unique offerings of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, potentially alienating customers [22][23] Future Outlook - Analysts predict that bankruptcy may be inevitable for Saks Global, with some viewing it as a necessary step to close underperforming locations [24][25] - The upcoming Q4 is critical for the company, as it faces existential challenges amid declining sales and vendor issues [13][25] - The overall sentiment among industry experts is that Saks Global is in a precarious position, with significant risks to its future viability [14][26][27]

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]

MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, LuxExperience B.V. (NYSE:LUXE), the leading digital, multi-brand luxury group is delighted to announce the appointment of Francis Belin as new Chief Executive Officer of Mytheresa, effective January 1, 2026. Francis Belin brings extensive and diverse luxury experience and proven leadership in driving international growth. He also brings a deep understanding of high net worth individuals worldwide. Most recently, as President Asia Pacific and overlooking global Lu. ...

MUNICH, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--LuxExperience B.V. (NYSE:LUXE) (the "Company†), today announced its financial results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2026 ended September 30, 2025. The leading luxury multi-brand digital platform reported strong results and improvements across all three segments. Mytheresa demonstrated continued outstanding Net Sales growth and significantly increased Adjusted EBITDA profitability in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. NET-A-PORTER and MR PORTER clearl. ...

This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. This month, Saks Global launched “a new top seller growth and career development path” for its Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus banners. The luxury department store conglomerate, which also includes Bergdorf Goodman and off-pricer Saks Off 5th, bills this as “a reimagined approach” to empower its best salespeople “and elevate the customer experience across both bra ...