| October-December | 2023 | 2022 | Movement at: | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €m | €m | constant rates | actual rates | ||
| By region | 1 226 | 1 277 | -3% | -4% | |
| Asia Pacific | 2 049 | 1 901 | +13% | +8% | |
| Americas | 1 355 | 1 320 | +8% | +3% | |
| 514 | 477 | +18% | +8% | ||
| Middle East & Africa | 449 | 428 | +10% | +5% | |
| By distribution channel | Retail | 3 942 | 3 718 | +11% | +6% |
| Online retail | 356 | 391 | -5% | -9% | |
| Wholesale and royalty income | 1 295 | 1 294 | +4% | - | |
| By business area | Jewellery Maisons | 3 952 | 3 722 | +12% | +6% |
| Specialist Watchmakers | 939 | 952 | +3% | -1% | |
| Other | 702 | 729 | -1% | -4% | |
| Total | 5 593 | 5 403 | +8% | +4% | |
Review of trading in the three-month period ended 31 December 2023 versus the prior-year period, at constant exchange rates
Any long form references to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan within this company announcement are Hong Kong SAR, China; Macau SAR, China; and Taiwan, China respectively. Unless otherwise stated, all sales comments below relate to continuing operations.At constant exchange rates, Group sales rose by 8% versus the prior-year period, with increases recorded in almost all regions, channels and business areas.
In Asia Pacific, sales growth of 13% was fuelled by a 25% sales increase in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau combined, on favourable comparatives against the prior-year period, more than offsetting softer performance in several other Asian markets. In Europe, sales were 3% lower as higher sales to Chinese and domestic clienteles did not compensate for an overall reduction in tourist spending, notably from Americas-resident clients. In the Americas, sales rose by 8% driven by a resilient economy and lower purchases abroad by domestic clientele, notably in Europe, as previously highlighted. The sharpest sales growth was generated in Japan, at +18%, notwithstanding demanding comparatives (+43% in the prior-year period). Japan benefitted from growing domestic sales and strong tourist spending, notably from Chinese clients, somewhat favoured by a weakened yen. Sales in the Middle East & Africa region rose by 10%, supported by both robust local and tourist demand in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
All distribution channels recorded sales growth except for the online retail channel where sales decreased by 5%. Retail sales increased by 11%, with growth in all regions – with the exception of Europe - and notable strength in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau combined as well as in the US. Retail recorded the strongest relative channel performance, led by the Jewellery Maisons and Specialist Watchmakers, and further raised its contribution to 71% of Group sales. Wholesale sales were 4% above the prior-year period, sustained by strong sales at the Jewellery Maisons which more than offset a softer performance across the rest of the Group, partly due to further targeted closures of external points of sale.
The Group’s three Jewellery Maisons - Buccellati, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels - generated the strongest sales increase (+12%), underpinned by solid jewellery and watch sales. Sales progressed in almost all channels and regions. Specialist Watchmakers sales rose by 3% reflecting a retail outperformance, notably at A. Lange & Söhne, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin, which more than offset the double-digit decline in wholesale sales. The Group’s Other business area, which is predominantly composed of the Group’s Fashion & Accessories Maisons, saw sales decline by 1% compared to the prior-year period. Lower wholesale and online retail sales were largely mitigated by mid-single digit growth in retail sales, markedly driven by the performance at Alaïa, Delvaux, dunhill and Peter Millar.
Trading in the nine-month period ended 31 December 2023Sales over the nine-month period to December2023 increased by 11% at constant exchange rates and by 5% at actual exchange rates, following double-digit growth experienced in the prior-year period at constant and actual exchange rates. A quarter-by-quarter sales overview is presented in Appendix 1.
The Group’s net cash position at 31December2023 rose to €6.8billion (2022: €5.5billion) primarily driven by solid operational performance and the proceeds from the exercise of warrants issued in 2020 under the equity-based shareholder loyalty scheme. It excludes YOOX NET-A-PORTER (YNAP)’s net cash position of €0.3billion since the assets and liabilities of YNAP are classified as ‘Assets of disposal group held for sale’ and ‘Liabilities of disposal group held for sale’, respectively.
YNAP, which is presented as ‘discontinued operations’, recorded a sales reduction of 11% at constant exchange rates (-14% at actual exchange rates) for both the three and nine months’ periods ended December 2023, in a continued challenging environment for pure play online distributors.
Corporate calendar
The Group’s results for the financial year ending 31March2024 will be announced on Friday 17May2024. The Group’s corporate calendar is available on https://www.richemont.com/investors/corporate-calendar/
Investor/analyst and media enquiries
Sophie Cagnard, Group Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Director
James Fraser, Investor Relations Executive
Investors/analysts enquiries: +41 22 721 30 03; investor.relations@cfrinfo.net
Media enquiries: +41 22 721 35 07; pressoffice@cfrinfo.net; richemont@teneo.com
Disclaimer
The financial information contained in this announcement is unaudited.
This document contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Richemont’s forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s business and performance, the economy and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, circ*mstances and results. Our retail stores are heavily dependent on the ability and desire of consumers to travel and shop and a decline in consumers traffic could have a negative effect on our comparable store sales and/or average sales per square foot and store profitability resulting in impairment charges, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced travel resulting from economic conditions, retail store closure orders of civil authorities, travel restrictions, travel concerns and other circ*mstances, including disease epidemics and other health-related concerns, could have a material adverse effect on us, particularly if such events impact our customers’ desire to travel to our retail stores. International conflicts or wars, including resulting sanctions and restrictions on importation and exportation of finished products and/or raw materials, whether self-imposed or imposed by international countries, non-state entities or others, may also impact these forward-looking statements.
As with any projection or forecast, forward-looking statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circ*mstances. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Group’s control. Richemont does not undertake to update, nor does it have any obligation to provide updates of, or to revise, any forward-looking statements.
