European Luxury and Sporting Goods Weekly: Timely & Priceless

Research evidence excerpt

European Luxury and Sporting Goods Weekly: Timely & Priceless

over +43.5% increase in gross merchandise value within nine weeks of its soft

launch compared to their former official online store. Registered users rose 560%

and overall traffic rose more than 300% to 18.5m clicks. 4) Valentino is preparing to

issue €450m in senior secured bonds issued in August and expected to mature in

2033 to refinance its existing bank debt. The proceeds will be used to repay bank

debt ahead of schedule, while also funding investment and working capital

requirements. The bonds will carry an interest at the six-month Euribor plus a 3%

margin and Valentinos’ shareholders Kering and Mayhoola have committed to

provide up to €250m in equity if required to support debt repayments or covenant

compliance. 5) De Beers made some of its deepest ever cuts to official diamond

prices across nearly all categories, with prices previously running c.5% to c.50%

above the secondary market depending on the stone category. The cuts came at its

first sale under a new contract that reduced its handpicked buyer group, known as

sightholders, from c.70 to between 45 and 50. This took place as the company

navigates a prolonged industry downturn driven by weakening Chinese luxury

demand, the rising popularity of synthetic stones, and broader macro pressures

including US tariffs and the Middle East conflict. (Recall a few weeks ago CEO

Duncan Wanblad hinted at a close to the sale of the diamond business by summer

2026) 6) Hermes will unveil its first haute couture collection during Haute Couture

Week in January 2027, designed by Nadège Vanhée-Cybulski. Executive chairman

Axel Dumas noted that new ateliers and seamstresses have been brought in to

support the project.

Sporting Goods

• Manufacturing Tracker: