Louis Vuitton is a French luxury fashion brand that is known worldwide for its high-end fashion products. On the other hand, Kering is also a French multinational company that owns several luxury brands. However, one question that often arises in the minds of many people is whether Kering owns Louis Vuitton or not?
What is Kering?
Kering (previously known as Pinault-Printemps-Redoute) is a multinational luxury goods holding company based in Paris, France. The company was founded in 1963 and has since then acquired several high-end brands such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen.
What is Louis Vuitton?
Louis Vuitton (LV) is a French luxury fashion brand that was founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton himself. The brand specializes in producing high-end leather goods such as handbags, luggage bags, shoes, belts, and other accessories.
Does Kering Own Louis Vuitton?
No! Kering does not own Louis Vuitton.
In fact, LV is owned by another French multinational luxury goods conglomerate named LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SE. The LVMH group was formed in 1987 through the merger of two major companies: Moët Hennessy (a champagne and cognac manufacturer) and Louis Vuitton (a fashion house).
Ownership Structure of LVMH
LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SE (LVMH) is currently owned by several individuals and institutions around the world. The largest shareholder of LVMH is the Arnault Family Group which holds approximately 47% of the shares.
Bernard Arnault who heads this family group is also the Chairman and CEO of LVMH. Other major shareholders include institutional investors such as The Capital Group Companies, Inc., BlackRock, Inc., and Norges Bank Investment Management.
The Relationship Between Kering and LVMH
Although Kering does not own Louis Vuitton, the two companies are competitors in the luxury goods market. Kering owns several other high-end fashion brands such as Gucci, Alexander McQueen, and Balenciaga that directly compete with LV products.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, Kering does not own Louis Vuitton. LV is owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SE which is a separate company from Kering.
The two companies are competitors in the luxury goods market with their respective high-end fashion brands. Knowing this information will help to differentiate between these two luxury goods holding companies and their respective brands.