Kering Pulls Design In-House and Why

"In September 2014, French luxury conglomerate Kering announced that it was bringing most of its eyewear business in-house," starts the Moodie Report. "It was a major step on every level. Until then, nine out of 11 Kering eyewear brands had been managed through licence agreements (with five different partners), generating consolidated royalties of approximately €50 million. Kering’s partnership with its major partner, Safilo, included eyewear licences for such lustrous names as Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen. The decision to repatriate the brands in-house followed a lengthy assessment of growth prospects in the burgeoning eyewear category, particularly in the luxury and sport & lifestyle sectors that Kering’s main brands are part of." Read more.

Kering Signs Licensing Agreement with Puma

Puma and Kering Eyewear have signed a licensing agreement for optical frames and sunglasses, effective January 2016. Charmant's Puma license will terminate at that time, according to a company press release. Kering's first Puma collection, Collezione Uno, will be divided into three segments, performance, active and sportstyle, each meeting specific needs. The line will also include eyewear designed for running and golf. The first collection will be presented this month. 

Safilo Terminates Licenses with Kering

Safilo will terminate its Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, and Saint Laurent licenses with Kering SA at June's end and its Gucci license by 2015's end, according to a report by Reuters of India. Safilo will pick up a license to produce and distribute Gucci's Made in Italy brand from 2017 through 2020. These are some of the moves resulting from an agreement signed by Kering and Safilo back in September. Read more.

Kering Creates Separate Entity for Its Eyewear, and Resigns with Safilo

"French luxury and retail group Kering ...is looking to strengthen its eyewear business by creating a separate entity that will fully control the eyewear value chain, from design to product development and supply chain, and from branding and marketing to sales," reports RTT News. "The owner of the Gucci and Saint Laurent brands currently manages nine of their 11 brands through license agreements with five different partners. It only receives royalty totaling about 50 million euros on these licenses." Read more.

Meanwhile Safilo and Kering said that they will continue their 20-year partnership. The two will go-steady with the Gucci license until December 2016 and product development until December 2020. Read more.