Kering

Kering is a French-based multinational corporation specializing in luxury goods. It owns the brands Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, and Yves Saint Laurent.

The timber-trading company Pinault S.A. was founded in 1963, by François Pinault. After the company was quoted on Euronext Paris in 1988, it became the retail conglomerate Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (PPR) in 1994, and the luxury group Kering in 2013. The group has been a constituent of the CAC 40 since 1995. François-Henri Pinault has been president and CEO of Kering since 2005. In 2020, the group's revenue reached €13.1 billion.

1963: François Pinault establishes the Pinault group, specialising in timber trading.

1988: Flotation on the Paris Stock Market’s Second Marché of Pinault SA, a company specialising in timber trading, distribution and processing.

1990: Acquisition of CFAO, specialising in electrical equipment distribution (through CDME, which became Rexel in 1993) and in trading with Africa.

1991: The acquisition of Conforama, the Group enters the Retail activity.

1992: The Pinault-Printemps Group is born with the takeover of Au Printemps SA, which held 54% of La Redoute and Finaref.

1994: Merger of La Redoute with the Group, which is renamed Pinault-Printemps-Redoute. Takeover of Fnac.

1995: Launch of the Group’s fi rst website, laredoute.fr.

1996: Acquisition by CFAO of SCOA, the leading pharmaceutical distributor in West Africa through its subsidiary Eurapharma.• Creation of Orcanta, a women’s lingerie chain.• Launch of fnac.com, the Fnac website.

1997: Takeover by Redcats (PPR home shopping activity) of Ellos, the leader in the Scandinavian home shopping market.• Creation of Fnac Junior, a store concept for children under 12.

1998: Takeover of Guilbert, the European leader in office supplies and furnishings.• Acquisition by Redcats of 49.9% of Brylane, the fourth largest home shopping company in the United States. Creation of Made in Sport, a chain of stores dedicated to sports enthusiasts.

1999: Purchase of the remaining stake in Brylane. The Group enters the luxury goods sector with the acquisition of 42% of Gucci Group NV. First steps towards the creation of a multi-brand luxury goods group, with the acquisition by Gucci Group of Yves Saint Laurent, YSL Beauté and Sergio Rossi.

2000: Acquisition of Surcouf, a specialised PC retailer. Acquisition by Gucci Group of Boucheron.• Launch of Citadium, the new Printemps sports store.

2001:  Gucci Group acquires Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga and signs partnership agreements with Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen.• Conforama enters the Italian market with the purchase of the Emmetza group, one of the leaders in the home furnishings market in Italy.Pinault-Printemps-Redoute raises its stake in Gucci Group to 53.2%.

2002: The Group raises its stake in Gucci Group to 54.4%.Sale of Guilbert home shopping activity to Staples Inc.• Sale of part of the Credit and Financial Services activity in France and Scandinavia to Crédit Agricole SA (61% of Finaref) and to BNP Paribas (90% of Facet).

2003: The Group raises its stake in Gucci Group to 67.6%. Sale of Pinault Bois & Matériaux to the Wolesley group in the UK. Sale of the Guilbert “contract” activity to the American group Offi ce Depot. Further sale of 14.5% of Finaref.

2004: The Group raises its stake in Gucci Group to 99.4% following a tender offer. Sale of Rexel.Sales of the 24.5% residual stake in Finaref.

2005: Change in the corporate name: Pinault-Printemps- Redoute becomes PPR.• Sale of MobilePlanet.• Sale of the 10% residual stake in Facet.

2006:  Sale of 51% of France Printemps to RREEF and the Borletti group.Sale of Orcanta to the Chantelle group.Sale of the Bernay industrial site (YSL Beauté Recherche et Industrie).Cessation of Fnac Service activities.Conforama acquires majority control of Sodice Expansion.Redcats Group acquires The Sportsman’s Guide, Inc.

2007: Sale of the 49% residual stake in France Printemps to RREEF and the Borletti Group.Sale of Kadéos to the Accor Group.Acquisition of a 27.1% controlling stake in Puma, followed by an increase in this stake to 62.1% on completion of a tender offer. Acquisition by Redcats USA of United Retail Group.

2008: Sale of YSL Beauté to L’Oréal.• Sale of Conforama Poland.Sale by Redcats UK of Empire Stores.Sale by Redcats USA of the Missy division.Purchase of a 23% stake in Girard Perregaux.

2009: Acquisition by Puma of Dobotex International BV.• Acquisition by Puma of Brandon AB.• Sale of Bédat & Co.• Sale of Surcouf.• Flotation of 58% of Cfao.

2010: Acquisition of a 20% stake by Puma in Wilderness Holdings Limited .Acquisition by Puma of Cobra.Sale of Fnac éveil & jeux.• Sale of the controlling stake in Conforama.

2011: Announced acquisition of Brioni (November 2011).Acquisition of Volcom Inc. (Volcom and Electric brands) Stake in Sowind Group (Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard brands) – raised to 50.1 % (controlling stake)

2012: Creation of a joint venture with Yoox S.p.A. dedicated to e-commerce for several brands of the Luxury Division (August 2012). Announced project to demerge and list Fnac (October 2012). Sale of Redcats USA business (The Sportsman’s Guide and The Golf Warehouse in November 2012, announced sale of OneStopPlus in December 2012).Announced acquisition of a majority stake in Chinese fine jewellery brand Qeelin ( December 2012).

2013: Acquisition of a majority stake in the luxury UK designer brand Christopher Kane. March 2013 announcement of corporate name change: PPR becomes Kering following the approval at the Annual General Meeting on 18 June 2013. Sale of the Children and Family division of Redcats, Cyrillus and Vertbaudet. Acquisition of a majority stake in tannery France Croco. Sale of the Nordic brands of Redcats, Ellos and Jotex. Listing of Groupe Fnac. Acquisition of a majority stake in Italian jewellery group Pomellato. Kering enters into exclusive negotiations for the disposal of La Redoute and Relais Colis.”

According to Kering, the company mission is: “to offer a stimulating, caring work environment where creativity, audacity and diversity fuel the success of our Houses, and drive company vision of sustainable and influential luxury".

According to Kering, the company vision focuses on: “authenticity and audacity, Kering sets trends and boldly crafts tomorrow's Luxury". 

The company is committed to being a leader in the luxury goods industry and is dedicated to promoting sustainability, innovation, and corporate responsibility in all of its operations. Through its portfolio of world-renowned fashion and lifestyle brands, Kering is dedicated to providing the highest quality products and services, while also making a positive impact on the world. 

Apparel: Kering offers a wide range of apparel products, including clothing, footwear, and accessories, for both men and women.

Eyewear: Kering offers a range of high-quality eyewear products, including prescription glasses and sunglasses, under several of its luxury brands.

Jewellery: Kering offers a range of fine jewelry products, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other items, under several of its luxury brands.

Watches: Kering offers a range of high-quality watch products, including sport watches and dress watches, under several of its luxury brands.

Leather goods: Kering offers a range of leather goods, including handbags, wallets, and other items, under several of its luxury brands.

Beauty and fragrances: Kering offers a range of beauty and fragrance products, including perfumes and skincare items, under several of its luxury brands.