Louis Vuitton 2008 Annual Report Download - page 47

LVMH010_2008_GB:Mise en page 1 24/03/09 11:13 Page 48
De Beers
affir m s
it s d iam o n d
p o sitio n in g
De Beers continued to expand its
international presence in the United
States,
Asia and the Middle East.
The
company opened a flagship store in
Tokyo in the Ginza district and a bou-
tique in Galeries Lafayette in Paris.
Throughout the year, De Beers focused
strongly on its positioning: the classic
diamond collections and engagement
rings were expanded steadily in a highly
competitive environment as customers
looked for safe values and high quality
diamonds.
M o n t res Dio r:
exp an sio n
o f th e Ch rist al lin e
Montres Dior continued to move more
high-end and to streamline their global
retail business.
The Christal collection,
the brand icon, benefited in 2008 from
the launch of its first automatic models
and a Tourbillon.
In order to promote synergies with Dior
Couture and Joaillerie, the activity of
Montres Dior is now managed in the
form of a joint-venture between the
Watches and Jewelry business group
and the Dior Couture company.
Fred relau n ch es
Fo rce 1 0
Fred recorded steady growth in France
with its Force 10 jewelry collection,
which was successfully relaunched at
the end of 2007.
This legendary line
inspired by the world of sailing brings
together steel cable and precious
metals.
A symbol of the latest in
jewelry, it appeals to both men and
women. Fred also renewed its watch
line and offered fine sets of jewelry to
meet demand from a very exclusive
customer base.
The flagship store on Place Vendôme
was renovated and generated steady
growth.
A new advertising campaign
embodied by Kate Moss was launched
in December.
O u t lo o k
In a w a t ch an d jew elr y m arket t h at
w ill b e d ifficu lt in 2 0 09 becau se o f t h e eco n o -
m ic en viro n m en t , t h e o b ject ive o f th e Wat ch es
an d Jew elry b u sin ess gro u p is t o co n t in u e t o
ga in m arket sh are w h ile co n so lid at in g t h e
p ro fitab ilit y w h ich h as im p ro ved sign ifica n tly
in t h e la st five years.
At t h e en d o f 2 00 8 , all t h e co m p an ies an d sa les
su bsid iaries co m m it t ed t o co st -cu t t in g p lan s
in o rd er t o im p ro ve t h e p ro d u ct ivity o f t h e
en t ire b u sin ess gro u p .
In vest m en t s w ill be ver y fo cu sed o n st rat egic
d evelo p m en t s, p art icu larly t h e co n t in u ed
in d u st rial in t egrat io n o f t h e TAG Heu er an d
Hu b lo t b ran d s. Th e m arket in g in vest m en t s
w ill b e m ain t ain ed t o su p p o rt m arket sh are
ga in s in st rat egic m a rket s.
Th e n et w o rks o f b o u t iq u es w ill b e exp an d ed
even m o re select ively t o ben efit t h e m ore
p ro fitab le bran d s an d m arket s, w it h im p ro -
ved p ro d u ct ivit y in t h e exist in g st o res b ein g
t h e clea r p rio rit y.
PASSIONATE ABOUT CREATIVITY 45