Louis Vuitton 2005 Annual Report Download - page 31

Louis Vuitton, Donna Karan, Fendi, Loewe,
Celine, Kenzo, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy,
Thomas Pink, Pucci, Berluti, Rossimoda and
Stefanobi make up the Fashion and Leather
Goods business group. This extraordinary set of
brands from both sides of the Atlantic has
891 stores throughout the world. While it
respects the identity and creative positioning of
these brands, LVMH supports their growth by
offering shared resources to the companies.
The activity of the Internet site Eluxury.com
in the United States is also consolidated within
the Fashion and Leather Goods business group.
In 2005, LVMH again gained market share in the high quality fashion and
leather goods sector. This progress was generated by the excellent
performance of Louis Vuitton and by the growth in several brands devel-
oped within the business group that recorded double-digit organic
growth in revenue.
The Fashion and Leather Goods business group continued improving its
retail network. Strategic stores, in terms of their size, location and
potential, were opened in Europe, the United States, and Asia.
LOUIS VUITTON CONTINUES TO WIDEN THE GAP
Louis Vuitton again recorded double-digit organic revenue growth in
2005. With a strong performance in North America, continued steady
growth in Europe, accelerated sales in Japan, and the confirmed success
of the brand in Asia, particularly in the Chinese market, the business
group’s star brand continued to gain market share.
This strong revenue growth continues to generate exceptional prof-
itability, driven by the extraordinary appeal of the brand, the very high
quality of its products, and the excellent responsiveness of the company’s
global organization.
Louis Vuitton increased the size of its retail network to 345 stores by the
end of 2005. The network benefited from five new stores and fifty major
renovations. Throughout the year, major openings were held through-
out the world-in Hong Kong, Beijing, Las Vegas, Okinawa and else-
where. But the highlight of the year was undeniably the October 2005
opening of the Maison Louis Vuitton des Champs-Élysées in Paris, the
most surprising luxury store in the world. This opening, preceded by a
spectacular inauguration and widely covered by the international media,
was an additional opportunity to place Louis Vuitton under the spot-
lights.
In the fall of 2005, Louis Vuitton launched a new version of its Internet
site. Based on the success of its exclusive online boutique on Eluxury.com
in the United States, the brand is now offering French consumers the
opportunity to buy leather goods, watches and accessories online from
its own site.
Treasures “made in
Champs-Élysées”
To celebrate the opening of its
Maison des Champs-Élysées and pay
tribute to the most famous avenue
in the world, Louis Vuitton produced
a limited series of exceptional
products. Miniatures, footwear,
leather goods, watches and jewelry,
all concrete illustrations of the scope
of its know-how and the talent
of its artisans.
PASSIONATE ABOUT CREATIVITY
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LVMH 2005 FASHION AND LEATHER GOODS