Richemont

Sales in the Swiss group’s all-important jewellery unit soared 11% in the most recent quarter, making Richemont more resilient than rivals like LVMH in a challenging market for luxury goods.

Global fashion houses are reshaping their discount strategies in China, hoping to rebuild exclusivity and attract wealthy consumers amid an economic slowdown that has impacted middle-class spending.

The Trump administration’s radical changes to US trade policy won’t push retail prices up enough to directly dampen sales, but the effects on the global economy and consumer sentiment could seriously dent an industry still struggling to bounce back from a sharp downturn in demand.

CEOs of the Geneva watch fair’s organising foundation, LVMH’s watchmaking division, Piaget and Breitling sound off on the latest edition. Bulgari has entered the fold, but Breitling, Audemars Piguet and Swatch continued to snub the expo.

Cartier owner Richemont has two attributes that make its recent sales performance particularly sparkling, writes Andrea Felsted.

Higher sales in the US and Europe coupled with smaller declines in China offered a tentative sign that demand for luxury goods may be recovering.

Barring a last-minute intervention by the US Supreme Court, these may be the final days of social media as we know it. Plus, men’s shows and luxury earnings season kick off.

While demand still lags behind supply, some observers believe Swiss timepieces will see renewed interest in the face of tech fatigue and disillusionment with luxury fashion.

Value for money matters, even at high-end brands. This week, Mulberry joined Burberry and Capri in admitting rampant price inflation has contributed to a collapse in demand. Will others follow suit?

The merger between the luxury e-tailers has potentially far-reaching implications for the troubled sector.