Jewelry Sales Solid for Kering in First Quarter

RAPAPORT... Kering noted strong sales in its jewelry-and-watch divisionin the first quarter, amid growing Asian demand and a positive reception at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) fair in Geneva. "Jewelry delivered solid growth, thanks in particular to thesuccess of creations by Boucheron, Qeelin and Pomellato," the company said lastweek. New watch modelsthe retailer unveiled at the January trade show also proved popular, it added  Sales at Kering's "other houses" segment climbed 25% on areported basis, and 22% on a comparable basis - at stores open during thesame period last year - to EUR 576.9 million ($648.8 million) in the firstquarter. The division incorporates jewelry and watches, as well as otherfashion products. Group sales, including the company's high-end labels, such asGucci and Yves Saint Laurent, jumped 22% to EUR 3.79 billion ($4.26 billion),and 18% on a comparable basis. Image: A Boucheron store in Singapore. (Shutterstock)