Cartier, Van Cleef See Strong Season

RAPAPORT... Sales at Richemont's jewelry maisons grew 5% yearon year to $2.18 billion (EUR 1.83 billion) in the fiscal third quarter of 2017, which included the  holiday season. The jewelry maisons, which include Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, were the company's strongest performers for the three months that ended December 31. Overall group sales advanced 1% to $3.72 billion (EUR 3.12 billion), with sales at its specialist watchmakers increasing by the same margin to $933 million (EUR 781 million), the company reported Thursday.  Other Richemont businesses showed consistent sales, with Montblanc, Chlo?(C) and Lancel recording the highest growth, the company said. Retail sales rose 7%, with a double-digit increase in Asia-Pacific and a strong performance in the Americas compensating for weakness in Europe. Revenue from the company's wholesale division declined 8%.The company's results for the current financial year will be announced on May 18.Image: Shutterstock/Sorbis