Key Stats
Kering stands as one of the world’s leading luxury conglomerates, headquartered in Paris. The company manages prestigious fashion houses including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen.
The French multinational transformed from humble timber trading origins into a luxury powerhouse through strategic acquisitions. François-Henri Pinault has served as president since 2005, with Luca de Meo becoming CEO in September 2025.
Today, Kering represents excellence in luxury goods spanning fashion, leather goods, jewelry, and watches. The company emphasizes sustainability and responsible business practices across all brands.
Kering History
François Pinault established Établissements Pinault in Brittany, specializing in timber trading with a 100,000-franc bank loan.
Pinault SA went public on the Paris Stock Exchange and began diversifying into retail through strategic acquisitions.
The company acquired Conforama, Printemps department stores, La Redoute, and Fnac, becoming a major retail conglomerate.
Pinault-Printemps-Redoute purchased 42% of Gucci Group for $3 billion, marking the cornerstone shift toward luxury goods.
Acquired Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga while signing partnership agreements with Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen.
François-Henri Pinault became chairman and CEO, accelerating the transformation into a pure luxury group.
Acquired controlling stake in Puma, expanding into sport and lifestyle segment before later divesting.
Company rebranded from PPR to Kering, completing its transformation into a dedicated luxury conglomerate.
Acquired Pomellato Group, Christopher Kane, and Ulysse Nardin while divesting retail assets including Fnac and La Redoute.
Luca de Meo appointed as CEO while François-Henri Pinault continues as president of the board.
Kering Co-founders
Born August 21, 1936, in Les Champs-Géraux, France. He founded the timber trading company in 1963 and built it into a global luxury empire through strategic vision and acquisitions.
Born May 28, 1962, son of founder François Pinault. He joined the company in 1987 and became chairman and CEO in 2005, leading the complete transformation into a luxury-focused group.
Kering Revenue
Kering experienced substantial revenue growth through strategic brand development and market expansion. The company faced challenges in 2024 with a 12% decline to €17.2 billion.
Kering Market Cap
The company’s market capitalization reflects its position as a leading luxury conglomerate. As of November 2025, Kering maintains a market cap of approximately $45 billion.
Kering Acquisitions
The company’s acquisition strategy transformed it from retail conglomerate to luxury leader. The pivotal 1999 Gucci acquisition for $3 billion established Kering in luxury goods. This move sparked competition with LVMH and positioned the company for future growth.
Subsequent acquisitions built a formidable portfolio. Bottega Veneta joined in 2001, bringing Italian leather craftsmanship. Balenciaga arrived the same year, adding avant-garde fashion expertise. Partnership agreements with Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney expanded creative capabilities.
The company continued strategic expansion through jewelry and watchmaking. Boucheron acquisition in 2000 established jewelry presence. Girard-Perregaux and Brioni joined in 2011, adding Swiss watchmaking and Italian tailoring expertise. Pomellato Group acquisition in 2012 strengthened jewelry offerings.
Christopher Kane brought British fashion innovation in 2013. Ulysse Nardin acquisition in 2014 expanded watchmaking portfolio. These moves built comprehensive luxury expertise across categories. The company balanced acquisitions with strategic divestitures, selling retail assets to focus purely on luxury.
Each acquisition served specific strategic purposes. Geographic expansion, category diversification, and creative talent acquisition drove decisions. Integration maintained brand autonomy while leveraging group resources. This approach differentiated Kering from competitors.
The acquisition strategy emphasized brand heritage and craftsmanship. Management invested in creative leadership and operational excellence. This philosophy created sustainable growth across the portfolio. Recent years focused on organic development rather than new acquisitions.
Kering Competitors
Kering competes with major luxury conglomerates in global markets. The competitive landscape includes diversified groups and independent luxury brands.
| Company | Headquarters | Notable Brands |
|---|---|---|
| LVMH | Paris, France | Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, Tiffany |
| Richemont | Geneva, Switzerland | Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Montblanc |
| Hermès | Paris, France | Hermès |
| Chanel | Paris, France | Chanel |
| Prada Group | Milan, Italy | Prada, Miu Miu |
| Burberry | London, UK | Burberry |
| Capri Holdings | London, UK | Versace, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo |
| Tapestry | New York, USA | Coach, Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman |
FAQs
Who owns Kering?
Groupe Artémis, the Pinault family holding company, owns 42% of Kering shares. François-Henri Pinault serves as chairman while maintaining family control through the investment vehicle.
What brands does Kering own?
Kering owns Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, Qeelin, Ulysse Nardin, Girard-Perregaux, and Creed among others.
When was Kering founded?
François Pinault founded the company in 1962 as a timber trading business. The company rebranded to Kering in 2013 after transforming into a luxury goods conglomerate.
Where is Kering headquarters located?
Kering headquarters are located in the former Hôpital Laennec building in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France. The company maintains this prestigious address for operations.
How much revenue does Kering generate?
Kering reported €17.2 billion in revenue for 2024. This represented a decline from previous years due to challenges at Gucci and market headwinds in luxury.
