Global luxury apparel firms record positive sales in H1

In a conversation with fibre2fashion, Nikoleta Panteva, senior retail analyst of IBIS World, said, "The global luxury market will rebound along with the global economy and it will be supported by emerging markets in Latin America."

"Europe, specially France and the UK, China and Japan are large consumers of luxury items. In Europe and Japan, a dedication to quality and craftsmanship is the reason for the level of consumption, while growing incomes in China are allowing consumers to buy more expensive luxury items," she informs.

Several luxury garment retailers including Kering, Hermes and LVMH have recorded positive sales in the first half of 2013.

According to Hermes, it is difficult to make projections for the full year 2013, owing to uncertainties concerning the economic outlook and currency fluctuations. However, in light of the sales achieved in the first half of the year, consolidated sales at constant rates could slightly exceed the mid-term growth target of 10 percent.

François-Henri Pinault, chairman and chief executive officer of Kering, said in a statement that the company delivered a solid performance in the first half of 2013, with revenue up 4 percent on a comparable basis and further growth in operating margin.

The Luxury Division continued to deliver robust growth, gathering momentum in the second quarter and powered by the solid performance in its directly operated stores and its mature markets, he added.

However, Ms. Panteva says, "Luxury apparel market is expected to slowdown in 2013 mainly due to the recessionary conditions in the Europe and China since they are the two key markets for luxury clothing."