Burberry Shares Jump on Moncler Bid Report

A Burberry logo displayed outside its store on New Bond Street in London, Britain, July 15, 2024. (Reuters)
A Burberry logo displayed outside its store on New Bond Street in London, Britain, July 15, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Burberry Shares Jump on Moncler Bid Report

A Burberry logo displayed outside its store on New Bond Street in London, Britain, July 15, 2024. (Reuters)
A Burberry logo displayed outside its store on New Bond Street in London, Britain, July 15, 2024. (Reuters)

Burberry shares rose as much as 8% on Monday after a media report said Italian luxury outerwear maker Moncler was considering a bid for the British luxury retailer.

Moncler, known for its puffer jackets, on Sunday, said it would not comment on "unsubstantiated rumors" of a possible deal between the two luxury brands.

Burberry, which had a market valuation of nearly 3 billion pounds ($3.89 billion) as of the last close, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Monday.

The company's shares, which jumped to 876.6 pence in early trading, pared gains to trade around 3.5% higher by 0732 GMT. The stock has plummeted about 40% so far this year.

Moncler shares, largely flat at 50.8 euros currently, fell as much as 1.5% early in the session.

Burberry, known for dressing the English upper class in its classic camel, red, and black check prints, has lagged behind its peers as it struggles to revive demand for its clothing.

It scrapped its dividend and issued a profit warning in July.

Broadly, luxury groups have struggled with tighter consumer spending in recent quarters, especially in China, with Moncler reporting a 3% drop in third-quarter sales last month.



Saudi Arabia, Kering Group Sign MoU to Elevate Fashion Sustainability in Kingdom

The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
TT

Saudi Arabia, Kering Group Sign MoU to Elevate Fashion Sustainability in Kingdom

The Saudi Fashion Commission logo
The Saudi Fashion Commission logo

The Saudi Fashion Commission has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with French-based Kering, one of the world’s most influential luxury fashion conglomerates, to engage in discussions that support the development and implementation of initiatives that align with Saudi Arabia’s broader goals for the fashion sector.

The signing ceremony, held in Riyadh, was attended by Saudi Fashion Commission CEO Burak Cakmak and Chief Sustainability and Institutional Affairs Officer at Kering Marie-Claire Daveu.

The MoU marks the beginning of a strategic alliance aimed at exploring collaborative efforts in several key areas of common interest. The two organizations will work together to establish Kering Generation Awards, which recognize and celebrate leading sustainable fashion businesses, including establishing award criteria, participant selection processes, and award recipient development.

Moreover, the collaboration features a Regional Sustainability Index, providing fashion enterprises with a roadmap to enhance sustainable practices.
The initiative also entails publishing joint reports on achievements, conducting awareness sessions, and aligning with key events in Saudi’s annual fashion calendar.

Leveraging Kering’s industry expertise, the two parties will focus on customer engagement, circular economy and water protection and aim to identify pioneering approaches to sustainable materials that can serve as industry standards.

This partnership underscores the Saudi Fashion Commission’s commitment to advancing sustainability across the fashion value chain. As a leader in sustainable luxury fashion, Kering brings a wealth of experience in managing eco-conscious initiatives, reinforcing the MoU’s potential to drive meaningful change in the region’s fashion landscape.

“We are delighted to partner with Kering, whose commitment to sustainability aligns with our mission to foster a forward-thinking, eco-conscious fashion ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. Together, we aim to set new standards for sustainability and innovation in the region,” said Cakmak.

As for Daveu, she said that the MoU presents a remarkable opportunity for the company to support the growth of sustainable fashion practices in Saudi Arabia.

“We look forward to collaborating on initiatives that will contribute to a more sustainable future for the fashion industry,” she added.

The MoU will be effective immediately for an initial term of one year, with an option for automatic renewal upon mutual agreement.
This partnership reflects the shared vision of the Saudi Fashion Commission and Kering to lead the region’s move toward a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry.