Kering

Kering has established initiatives like the Kering Foundation and the Chime for Change campaign to combat violence against women and raise awareness for disadvantaged women, reflecting the company's dedication to empowering women.

Kering Americas Inc was founded on June 24, 1881 and is headquartered in Paris, France.

Kering, originally founded in 1962 as Etablissements Pinault by Francois Pinault, started as a company involved in wood trade negotiation and construction materials. It later expanded through acquisitions and entered the retail distribution market.

Kering was established in 1963 with its roots in the lumber trade. It has evolved to become the world's second-largest luxury company, owning renowned brands like Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga.

In 1988, Pinault S. A. becomes a publicly listed company on the Paris Stock Exchange, marking a significant milestone in its corporate history.

In 1989, Pinault S. A. acquires shares from CFAO, further expanding its business portfolio and influence in the market.

Pinault SA, later known as Kering, listed on the Paris stock market in 1988, raising capital for diversification.

On January 5, 1999, LVMH acquired a 5% stake in Gucci, initiating a fierce battle for control over the luxury brand with Pinault-Printemps-Redoute.

Following the acquisition of Gucci, Kering, formerly known as Pinault SA, expanded its portfolio by acquiring renowned fashion houses like Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta, transforming into a multi-brand luxury goods group.

In February 2001, Gucci Group acquired a 66.7 percent stake in Bottega Veneta, and later in July 2001, increased its ownership to 78.5 percent in the Italian luxury goods and fashion house.

The Group further raises its stake in the Gucci Group to 54.4%, showcasing its commitment to the luxury fashion conglomerate.

In 2003, founder Francois Pinault handed over the reins of Kering to his son and current CEO Francois-Henri Pinault in a smooth transition that happened over a weekend, allowing uninterrupted focus on the growth strategy of the group.

Kering acquires the Italian jewelry manufacturers Pomellato and DoDo, renowned as two of the most innovative jewelry brands globally.

Kering integrates Ulysse Nardin, a prestigious Swiss watch manufacturer, into its luxury brand portfolio.

In 2006, Kering purchased the Balenciaga brand from Jacques Bogart S.A. This marked the beginning of Kering's expansion into the luxury fashion sector.

In 2007, Kering acquired the iconic French luxury fashion brand Yves Saint Laurent, further solidifying its presence in the high-end fashion market.

In 2008, Kering established the Kering Foundation, focusing on women's empowerment and sustainability. This initiative showcased Kering's commitment to social responsibility.

The Kering Foundation, previously known as PPR Corporate Foundation for Women's Dignity and Rights, was created and financed by Kering in 2009.

In 2010, Sakina M’Sa, Maria-Teresa Leal, and Anne Roos-Weil were selected as the winners of the Kering Women in Motion Awards for their projects benefiting women, families, and communities. Each winner received 15,000 euros and mentoring from a Kering staff member.

In 2011, Kering acquired a majority stake in Sowind Group, the owner of watchmakers Girard-Perregaux and Jeanrichard. This move solidified Kering's position in the luxury watch industry.

In 2012, PPR changed its name to Kering, marking a significant shift in the company's identity and branding.

In January 2013, Kering acquired a 51 percent stake in the London-based designer Christopher Kane's eponymous label, founded in 2006.

In March 2013, PPR rebranded itself as Kering.

In September 2013, Kering took a minority stake in the American luxury women’s brand Altuzarra, known for its ready-to-wear and accessories. Altuzarra was founded in 2008.

In November 2013, Kering and Tomas Maier, the Creative Director of Bottega Veneta, announced a joint venture. Tomas Maier, known for his eponymous label, collaborated with Kering for this venture.

In 2014, Kering purchased the Swiss luxury watch brand Ulysse Nardin, which has a heritage of 171 years in haute horlogerie.

In December 2014, Alessandro Michele, a long-time accessories designer at Gucci, was appointed as the creative director of PPR.

In May 2015, Kering underwent a name change to signify a shift towards a consolidated and unified positioning, moving away from its legacy image as a financial organization that grew through acquisitions. The new name aimed to convey the concept of 'caring' for its brands and people, reflecting a broader value system and brand platform.

In October 2015, Kering appointed Georgian-born designer Demna Gvasalia as the creative director of Balenciaga.

To commemorate the 160th anniversary of the House of Boucheron, a significant renovation project was initiated at 26 Place Vendôme in Paris, the historical location of the jeweler. The iconic boutique was set to reopen in 2019.

In January 2018, Kering announced plans to spin off the German sports brand Puma to its shareholders in order to focus on its luxury brands. This strategic move was aimed at dedicating the company entirely to the development of its luxury houses.

In June 2018, Kering announced discussions with Mr. Christopher Kane about the conditions for the British designer to regain full control of his brand. Both parties aim for a smooth transition while continuing their collaboration.

In March 2019, Kering revamped its website to highlight financials, sustainability, and corporate information, while also increasing its presence on Instagram to communicate strategic initiatives. This move reflects Kering's adaptation to the digital age and emphasis on corporate transparency.

In April 2019, Kering confirmed the completion of the sale of its U.S. sports and lifestyle brand Volcom to Authentic Brands Group. This move was part of Kering's strategic decision to focus on the development of its Luxury Houses.

Kering gained full control of its e-commerce operations after ending its joint venture with online fashion retailer Yoox Net-A-Porter in June 2020. This move allows Kering to have more autonomy in its online retail strategies.

Kering, founded in 1962 by Francois Pinault, evolved from a wood trade and construction materials company to one of the world's largest luxury goods holding companies. Headquartered in Paris, France, Kering is known for its sustainability initiatives in the luxury industry under the leadership of CEO Francois-Henri Pinault.

In March 2021, Kering disclosed that it had acquired a 5 percent stake in Vestiaire Collective, a secondhand marketplace, as part of a $216 million funding round led by Kering and Tiger Global Management.

In June 2021, Kering announced the acquisition of Danish eyewear brand LINDBERG, marking a significant step in the expansion of Kering Eyewear. The details of the deal were not made public.

Starting with the Fall 2022 collection, Kering Group announces the decision to stop using animal fur and emphasizes strict adherence to animal welfare standards for other animal materials.

An article about the history of Kering, a fashion conglomerate, published on glamobserver.substack.com on December 11, 2023.

Kering aims to reduce its Environmental Profit & Loss account by 40% and carbon emissions by 50% by 2025 through sustainable design and innovative practices.