Richemont, the Swiss luxury goods group, announces unaudited sales for the year ended 31 March 2006 of 4 308 million euros, an increase of 17 per cent at actual exchange rates compared to the prior year. At constant exchange rates, sales increased by 16 per cent.





The sales trends seen during the first six months of the year and in the pre-Christmas period continued into the fourth quarter of the financial year.

Particularly strong growth was seen in the Group’s specialist watchmaking division, which reported growth of 22 per cent.

The Group overall benefited from good consumer demand stemming from the generally favourable economic environment seen in its principal markets. In addition, exchange rates of key currencies, notably the dollar and yen, were relatively stable against the euro for a large part of the year.

Jewellery Maisons
Of the Group’s Jewellery Maisons, Cartier continued to perform strongly, showing particularly good growth in the Americas, Japan and in the rest of the Asia-Pacific region. Van Cleef & Arpels saw very good growth in sales, albeit from a smaller base, with a particularly strong performance in Europe.

Specialist watchmakers
The Group’s specialist watchmakers saw a high level of demand in all regions, all reporting double-digit growth. Vacheron Constantin, IWC and Panerai, in particular, performed very well, Vacheron Constantin having benefited from sales linked to its 250th anniversary celebrations in 2005.

Writing instrument manufacturers
Sales by the Group’s principal writing instrument manufacturer, Montblanc, reflected very strong demand within the Maison’s own boutique network.

Leather and accessories Maisons
Overall growth in sales for Alfred Dunhill reflected double-digit growth in the Asia-Pacific region, offset to some extent by a more challenging market for the company’s products in Japan. Lancel saw a recovery in its European market, with a double-digit rate of increase in sales.

Other businesses
The sales increase reported by the Group’s other businesses primarily reflects the exceptional performance of Chloé, where sales more than doubled during the year.





Europe
Sales in Europe represented 42 per cent of total Group sales. The overall increase of more than 200 million euros reflects double-digit growth in all business areas. The specialist watchmakers, in particular, performed very well.

Japan
Representing 17 per cent of Group revenues, sales in the domestic Japanese market benefited from the improved economic situation.

Asia-Pacific
Sales in the region represented 21 per cent of total Group sales. The 144 million euros increase in regional sales reflects strong demand, particularly for the Group’s specialist watchmakers’ products.

Americas
The Americas region, which accounted for 20 per cent of total sales for the year, showed the highest rate of growth, notwithstanding the good results seen in the prior year. All business areas reported double-digit growth, with excellent performances from IWC and Panerai.

Sales by distribution channel
At actual exchange rates, the Group’s retail sales increased by 17 per cent overall to 1 762 million euros, whilst wholesale sales increased by 18 per cent.

Disposals
In June 2005, Richemont sold its interest in Hackett, the menswear brand and, in March 2006, announced the sale of Old England, a Paris-based retailer. The sales figures for the year ended 31 March 2006 therefore include Hackett sales for the two-month period to 31 May 2005 and for Old England for the full twelve-month period. Prior year comparative figures include both brands for the full twelvemonth period.





Richemont’s results for the financial year ended 31 March 2006 will be released on Thursday, 8 June 2006. As the Company is now in a closed period until the release of the full year results in June,
Richemont is not in a position to provide any further details in connection with the information contained in this announcement.

Source : COMPAGNIE FINANCIÈRE RICHEMONT SA

www.richemont.com