Kering Jewelry Lines See Strong First Quarter

RAPAPORT... Kering reported buoyant jewelry-and-watch sales in the first quarter, driven by newcollections and extensions of certain product lines. "Watches and jewelryperformed very well this quarter," the company said Wednesday. "Thestrengthened positioning of [jewelry brands] Boucheron, Pomellato and Qeelin are paying off,thanks to new collections, extended iconic lines, and investments incommunications and store networks. Watches also turned in a good performancethis quarter." The luxury retaileralso reported a "robust" jewelry performance in the Asia-Pacific region. Group sales, including the company's high-fashion houses such as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, jumped 27% to $3.8 billion (EUR3.11 billion). Revenue from other houses, which include watches and jewelry, as well as couture and leather goods, ready-to-wear and shoes, climbed 31% to $565.8 million (EUR 463.3 million). Image: Boucheron