Dubai, UAE, February 15, 2016:  Longchamp, the renowned French house has announced strong figures for 2015 year end and reaffirmed continuing investment in retail, infrastructure and product innovation for a promising future.

Jean Cassegrain, CEO and grandson of the house’s founder describes 2015 as, “a year of strong commitment, high-performance store openings and exciting, creative collections.”

Key Figures

Sales in 2015 reached over €566 million – an increase of over 14 per cent (10% at a constant exchange rate) on the previous year. Mr. Cassegrain attributes this growth to the strength of the brand’s product offer, and a sustained strategy to build a strong distribution network across the world.

Revenue has increased in all geographic areas: in Europe, the Middle East and Africa by 13%, in the Americas by 21% and in Asia by 15%. Continued sales growth among Asian customers, both at home and when travelling as tourists was a key driver in 2015. Additionally, performance in Mainland China, despite a challenging economic environment in the country, was exceptionally strong, with local sales increasing by 30% over 2014, at constant exchange rates.

Retail & International Markets

Longchamp continues a strategy of opening its own stores, allowing total control of its retail environment and the quality of customer service. The new stores in Cologne, Florence, Vienna and Salzburg, as well as the Champs-Elysées store opened at the end of 2014, all exceeded their targets. The same was true of the house’s first stores to open in Canada (Toronto) and Macau.

These projects bring to more than 300 the number of stores directly operated by Longchamp, extending across 23 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
The house has also increased its commitment to on-line retailing across the year, with specific sites being launched at the end of last year in Spain, Austria and Switzerland.

2016

2016 will see a landmark opening in Delhi, Longchamp’s first in the Indian sub-continent. The house sees India as a great opportunity to look for new customers, eager to have access to its French luxury savoir-faire and creative spirit.

A major refurbishment of the Longchamp’s original townhouse at rue Saint-Honoré in Paris in 2016 will take the flagship store to a new level as the house’s ‘jewel in the crown’. While works take place, Longchamp will create the surprise for the city, as the building will be wrapped in an exciting and vibrant artwork by American artist, Ryan McGinness.

Investing in Know-how

In-house craftsmanship remains of strategic importance to the Longchamp brand. 2016 will see investment in a new workshop which will open in Pouzauges, in the Loire region of France. This will provide as from 2018 state-of-the art facilities for up to 100 craftspeople, as well as a leading edge training center, helping new artisans to develop the house’s legacy of expertise.

The Future

In 2015 Longchamp demonstrated once more its ability to continue growing in a volatile macroeconomic environment.

Looking to the year ahead and beyond, Jean Cassegrain says, ”Our family remains committed to growing the brand across all geographies. We will continue to expand our base of wholly owned stores, while further improving our existing estate and the quality of shopping experience that each store delivers. More than ever the quality of our products and of our in-store service will underpin our international growth.”

The Longchamp Brand

The Longchamp brand has retained its luxury values of craftsmanship, creativity and quality as it has grown across borders and collections. These values have been embodied in the success of the latest collection, including the new Penelope bag, made from the finest French young bull hide.

Creativity remains at the heart of Longchamp values and in 2015 the house celebrated ten years of working with designer Jeremy Scott, who creates a special Le Pliage each season. Each surprising and irreverent design is eagerly awaited by fashion aficionados and reaffirms the valued relationship between Le Pliage, Longchamp and the arts, as well as the house’s strong creative heritage.

Longchamp’s ready-to-wear and shoe collections perfectly complement its bags and accessories, and continue to make a strong fashion statement in-store and within the house portfolio. Using modern silhouettes, fine fabrics and leather, Longchamp offers a chic and elegant alternative to women looking for both timeless and chic fashionable pieces. Both collections are available in selected stores and on-line.

The Longchamp Spring 2016 collection, sees Alexa Chung photographed in Paris, by Peter Lindbergh bringing the brand back to its roots. ”He was able to create a very warm yet glamorous atmosphere, capturing the effortless dynamic spirit of the Parisian woman. Alexa is the perfect fit for Longchamp. She is a model, a presenter, a DJ and much more. Like our customers, she is open and creative, has wide interests, loves travel and enjoys life to the full.” continues Mr Cassegrain.