In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
Bulgari, Hublot Sales Strong for LVMH
The luxury titan’s watches and jewelry segment took in $2.39 billion in revenue in the first half of the year, a 4 percent year-over-year increase.

Paris—LVMH reported double-digit revenue growth in its first-half results, boosted in part by a strong performance from its watches and jewelry division.
Revenue in the first half of the year totaled €25.08 billion ($27.95 billion), a 12 percent organic increase compared to the previous half-year.
Revenue for the second-quarter also increased by 12 percent year-over-year to €12.54 billion ($13.98 billion).
By region, the company reported strong growth in the United States, Asia and Europe, noting a rebound in France in the second quarter. Previously, economic protests weighed on sales in the region.
LMVH’s watches and jewelry segment raked in €2.14 billion ($2.39 billion) in revenue, a 4 percent increase year-over-year.
The company reported “rapid progress in jewelry, especially in directly operated stores” and noted that Asia and Japan were the “most buoyant” regions for the segment.
Bulgari was the star of the show in the jewelry division with iconic lines such as Serpenti and B.Zero1 performing particularly well, continuing the trend of previous quarters.
The brand recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its B.Zero1 line with an exhibition in Milan, introducing new versions of its rings and bracelets as part of a special series.
Chaumet’s “Bee My Love” collection was another standout, as well as its Liens and Joséphine lines.
In watches, Hublot saw solid growth driven by its Classic Fusion and Big Bang lines, LVMH said.
TAG Heuer continued its “repositioning,” focusing on its flagship lines and celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Monaco model with the launch of limited-edition watches.
The company has plans to increase the presence of its Zenith and Fred brands in China.
LVMH expects the segment to maintain its target of market share gains for the full year. Marketing investments will be “robust” with an emphasis on digital communications.
Outside of watches and jewelry, the luxury conglomerate reported growth across all divisions, which include wines and spirits, perfume and cosmetics, and selective retailing.
Its fashion and leather goods division saw the strongest growth, jumping 18 percent to €10.43 billion ($11.62 billion).
The Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior brands were top performers with brands like Loewe and Fendi also performing well.
The segment recently launched Fenty, a new fashion house created by singer Rihanna, whose Fenty Beauty line is also under LVMH’s umbrella in its perfumes and cosmetics section.
Looking to the year ahead, CEO Bernard Arnault said: “Despite buoyant demand, we will continue to manage costs and remain vigilant into the second half of the year.”
LVMH’s
The Latest

The “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.

The jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.


The Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.

The discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

The jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.

A matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.

Sponsored by A Diamond Is Forever

The next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.

It was the second auction appearance for the fancy vivid blue-green diamond, which sold for $7.8 million at Christie’s Geneva 12 years ago.

Members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force took a 22-year-old man into custody. He was charged with tampering with evidence.

While the overall number of crimes was down, there were more incidences in which robbers pulled out guns, mace, or rammed cars into stores.

Jack Sutton Fine Jewelry is closing its store inside the downtown shopping center after 40 years in business.

Reena Ahluwalia’s painting of the rare red diamond is the first contemporary painting to join the National Gem Collection.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.

Peter Smith gives tips on leading meetings, developing marketing, and making trade show appointments in the age of short attention spans.

The 11-piece “Medallions” capsule collection features five motifs: a crying eye, a heart on fire, a spiral, a flower, and a swallow.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The partners have announced the second cycle of the program, which has expanded to include a $25,000 student scholarship.

The owners of Staats Jewelers are heading into retirement.

Jeffrey Gennette, who retired in 2024 after 41 years with Macy’s, is the newest member of the jewelry retailer’s board of directors.

May babies are lucky to have emeralds, a gemstone admired for centuries, as their birthstone, writes Amanda Gizzi.

The new module allows retailers to plan, promote, and measure the success of events from a single dashboard.

NDC said in an open letter that Pandora’s statements about the carbon footprint of lab grown versus natural diamonds are inaccurate.
























