Louis Vuitton 2005 Annual Report Download - page 8

PASSIONATE ABOUT CREATIVITY
6
LVMH 2005 CHAIRMAN’SMESSAGE
On the same avenue, the Champs- Élysées, the
new Maison Guerlain is also more than just a point
of sale; it is a building worthy of its status as a great
perfumer, whose walls reverberate with its history
and its exceptional and creative heritage. In this
radiant backdrop, Guerlain offers its customers a
range of unique products and services that no
other brand in the perfumery business is able to
match. In Rome, Fendi renovated an historic palace
and rechristened it with the name of the brand.
Besides being a flagship boutique whose decor
pays homage to the city where it was born, the
“Palazzo” is home to Fendi’s headquarters, its fur
workshops and its creative studios. Gaining inspi-
ration from the boutique in Rome, an equally flam-
boyant store was opened in New York in November.
These locations, as exceptional as they are, should
not detract from the constant hard work of our
teams, who enable us to open or renovate a signif-
icant number of sites each year throughout the
world. Our distribution network currently totals
more than 1,700 stores. This figure gives an idea of
the ability of our brands to attract and seduce
clients from all different walks of life who share a
common quest for exceptional quality, a refined
way of living, and who are looking to fulfill their
dreams in places that express the excellence and
modernity of the luxury industry.
Strong attributes for 2006
In 2006, we will continue to benefit from the
numerous developments of the past year and to
maintain a consistent strategy that focuses on the
growth of our star brands. We will also maintain
all efforts dedicated to the evolution of our emerg-
ing brands and will accelerate the developments
of those that show the strongest potential.
Despite currency uncertainties, the economic
climate is buoyant thanks to the growth of all the
large world economies and to the development of
emerging countries. We will reinforce the pres-
ence of our brands across the larger markets and
pursue the conquest of new territories - namely
Asia, which holds considerable growth prospects
for luxury products, as well as Russia and the most
advanced countries of Central and Eastern Europe,
where the economies are developing at a fast pace.
Innovation, the main engine of our success, will
remain a core part of our growth strategy.
Louis Vuitton will launch new lines in innovative
leather goods. Among other initiatives, Dior will
launch major new skin care and makeup ranges,
while Guerlain and Givenchy will introduce a new
feminine perfume. TAG Heuer and Zenith will
accelerate their policy of innovation and Dior
Watches will capitalize on the enormous success
of its new Christal line by enhancing it with new
models. With these strong perspectives, we have,
once again in 2006, set an objective of very signif-
icant growth in our results.
Continuing an exceptional adventure
In a world where new territories are opening up
and will open up to the world of luxury, LVMH
holds the key attributes to pursue dynamic growth
and reinforce its luxury market leadership. It not
only has the financial resources but also the pure
passion instilled in our employees to master new
areas, innovate and excel. One doesn’t become
leader by sheer coincidence and one certainly
doesn’t remain a leader without being audacious.
The future success of our Group and the ever
increasing gap between traditional development
and the exceptional journey of LVMH is entirely
down to the talent of our teams. Cultivating excel-
lence and daring to become the exception are
inscribed in our values and are part of our voca-
tion. Excellence is a heritage that our employees
are constantly striving for and building on, and
one that provides the key to LVMH’s success. The
exception is a challenge to which they are ready,
willing and more than capable of rising.
Bernard Arnault
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
One doesn’t become
leader by sheer
coincidence and
one certainly
doesn’t remain
aleader without
being audacious.
The future success of
our Group and the
ever increasing gap
between traditional
development and
the exceptional
journey of LVMH is
entirely down to the
huge talent of our
teams. Cultivating
excellence and
daring to become
the exception are
inscribed in our
values and are part
of our vocation.