France’s Kering begins 2026 on stable footing, eyes Gucci revival

French luxury house Kering has begun 2026 with signs of stabilisation, as early results from its strategic reset began to take effect despite a challenging global backdrop. Meanwhile, the group continued to prioritise the turnaround of Gucci through product, distribution and client-focused initiatives.

The group reported first-quarter (Q1) 2026 revenue of €3,568 million (~$4,210.24 million), down 6 per cent year-over-year (YoY) on a reported basis but stable on a comparable basis, signalling early signs of recovery despite geopolitical pressures.

Kering’s Q1 2026 revenue reached €3,568 million (~$4,210.24 million), down 6 per cent YoY but stable comparably, signalling early recovery.
Retail fell 2 per cent, while wholesale rose 6 per cent.
Fashion & Leather Goods sales went down 9 per cent.
Gucci declined 14 per cent to €1,347 million (~$1,589.46 million).
Middle East retail dropped 11 per cent, contributing 5 per cent of sales.

“In the first quarter of 2026, group revenue stabilised, marking an important first step in our recovery and a further sequential improvement. This performance reflects the first tangible effects of our actions, despite a challenging geopolitical environment,” said Luca de Meo, CEO of Kering.

Retail sales, including e-commerce, declined 2 per cent on a comparable basis, reflecting uneven regional demand. Wholesale revenue rose 6 per cent, Kering said in a press release.

Kering’s Fashion & Leather Goods posted a revenue of €2,852 million, down 9 per cent reported and 3 per cent comparable. Direct retail sales fell 4 per cent. Growth was driven by Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Brioni, particularly in North America.

Saint Laurent saw strong traction in shoes and ready-to-wear, while Bottega Veneta performed well in Asia-Pacific. Balenciaga continued to benefit from leather goods demand, and Brioni maintained positive momentum. Wholesale revenue for the segment increased 2 per cent.

Gucci posted €1,347 million (~$1,589.46 million) in revenue, down 14 per cent reported and 8 per cent comparable. Retail sales declined 9 per cent. North America grew 8 per cent, but this was offset by declines in Asia-Pacific and Western Europe.

“Gucci remains our top priority. A comprehensive turnaround is underway, with decisive actions across client, distribution and, above all, the offer,” added de Meo. “We have reset the product architecture and strengthened category focus, with new collections rolling out progressively in stores throughout the year.”

Regionally, the Middle East remains a key area of focus, contributing around 5 per cent of retail revenue. The Group operates 79 stores and employs approximately 1,100 people in the region. Retail revenue there declined 11 per cent in Q1 following earlier growth, amid geopolitical tensions. However, all stores are currently operational.

Kering continued to strengthen its operational structure and growth platforms during the quarter.

“The first quarter of 2026 marked continued progress, as we executed with pace and focus. We have launched a Group platform designed to support the growth of our Houses and enhance efficiency,” said de Meo.

Kering remains focused on restoring growth and improving margins in 2026 through disciplined execution and strategic repositioning.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)