Jewelry and Watch Sales Sparkle for LVMH

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading high quality products group, said revenue for the first nine months of 2011 rose 15 percent year-over-year to 16.3 billion euros ($22.3 billion). Organic revenue growth was 15 percent after the currency impact was compensated by the June 30 consolidation of Italian luxury jeweler, Bulgari, into the LVMH structure.

The third quarter continued the trend of strong growth evident since the start of the year, the Paris-based conglomerate said. The momentum continued in Asia, Europe and the United States, while Japan returned to growth over the period. In its outlook, the company said it expects the same revenue growth to continue till the end of the year.

The Watches & Jewelry division (which includes the brands TAG Heuer, Zenith and Hublot), while fifth among the company’s six business units in overall income, was the strongest performer for the nine-month period, recording a 76 percent revenue increase (26 percent organic growth) to 1.2 billion euros ($1.7 billion). The third quarter was marked by the public offer for the outstanding minority shares in Bulgari, which the company said, is performing well across all product categories. TAG Heuer enhanced its feminine product offering with a new jewelry extension to its Formula 1 line and has expanded its presence in Asia. Hublot continues the successful roll-out of the Classic Fusion collection. Driven by the excellent progress of its El Primero and Captain ranges, Zenith continues to demonstrate the strong appeal of its high quality chronographs. The other jewelry brands, Chaumet, Fred and De Beers continued their positive momentum through their own store network, the company said.

Results for its other businesses during the nine month-period are as follows:

Revenue for the Wines & Spirits group (which includes Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, and Jas Hennessy & Co.) increased 7 percent (11% organic) to 2.3 billion euros ($3.2 billion), led by champagne and premium alcohol sales.

Fashion & Leather Goods group (which includes Louis Vuitton, Thomas Pink and Marc Jacobs) grew 13 percent (15% organic) to 6.2 billion euros ($8.5 billion).

Perfumes & Cosmetics group (Christian Dior, Guerlain and Parfums Givenchy) saw its sales rise 3 percent (10% organic) to $2.3 billion euros ($3.2 billion)for the period, led by the sustained growth of its flagship product lines.

Selective Retailing group (which includes DFS, Sephora and La Samaritaine) sales increased 18 percent (19% organic) to $4.3 billion ($5.9 billion), benefiting from the expansion of Asian tourism, which was particularly strong in Hong Kong and Macao.

Its businesses listed as “other activities,” recorded a slight loss.