LVMH rebound steadies luxury: fashion improves, US returns, China stabilizes

Bottom Line Impact

Revenue trajectory is stabilizing with low single-digit growth potential and margin protection from price discipline, positioning leaders to gain share while safeguarding brand equity if they resist over-supplying into a fragile recovery.

Key Facts

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  • Q3 2025 organic sales +1% ex FX and M&A, the first quarterly increase year to date for LVMH
  • Fashion and Leather Goods organic sales -2% vs -3.5% consensus and an improvement from -9% in Q2 2025
  • LVMH shares rose up to 14% in early trading the day after results
  • Mainland China fashion and leather sales turned positive in Q3; domestic Chinese spend now growing mid to high single digits while Chinese outbound spend is still down double digits
  • US demand rebounded from April lows, with wines and spirits and leather categories seeing improved sell-through into late Q3

Executive Summary

LVMH posted its first organic revenue growth of 2025 in the September quarter, with fashion and leather goods improving materially and the US consumer re-engaging while mainland China turns positive. The recovery is real but fragile, as Chinese outbound spend remains in double-digit decline and investor expectations have reset higher, raising execution risk for peers.

Actionable Insights

Immediate Actions (Next 30-90 days)
Pause broad-based price increases through Q1 2026 and focus on mix elevation via limited high-ticket capsules and service enhancements
Rationale: Elasticity risk remains elevated post price ladder resets; preserving perceived value combats the greedflation narrative while sustaining full-price sell-through
Role affected:CEO
Urgency level:immediate
Shift 10 to 15% of media and clienteling budget from Europe to US and mainland China private-domain channels, with VIC events tied to new designer drops
Rationale: US re-acceleration and China domestic stabilization will yield higher near-term ROI than Europe; designer excitement is a proven traffic and conversion trigger
Role affected:CMO
Urgency level:immediate
Short-term Actions (6-12 months)
Tighten working capital by raising FY 2025 inventory turns target by 0.3 to 0.5x and gate capex by deferring 10 to 15% of non-critical projects until Chinese outbound spending inflects
Rationale: Recovery path is uneven; liquidity flexibility protects margins and optionality if demand moderates or travel recovery slips
Role affected:CFO
Urgency level:short-term
Rebalance allocation toward hero leather SKUs with plus 15% units to top 50 US doors and shift 5 to 8% of units to China flagships; hold waitlist depth at 6 to 8 weeks
Rationale: Near-term demand is concentrated in US and China domestic; disciplined scarcity supports pricing power and protects brand equity
Role affected:COO
Urgency level:short-term

Risks & Opportunities

Primary Risks
  • Investor over-optimism drives pressure for growth, prompting excessive supply or discounting if comps tighten
  • Prolonged double-digit decline in Chinese outbound spending limits high-ticket tourist purchases and travel retail recovery
  • US wealth effect sensitivity to equities and policy shocks, including tariffs, could stall demand
Primary Opportunities
  • Share gains from undercapitalized peers via superior VIC engagement and experiential retail, lifting conversion by 200 to 400 bps
  • Designer refresh cycles at key maisons to catalyze full-price mix and drive AUR without sticker-shock hikes
  • Gradual travel recovery in H2 2025 enabling high-margin tourist sales and improved store productivity

Supporting Details

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