Kering vs L'Oréal

Kering launches its Kering Generation Award in India

Kering launches its Kering Generation Award in India, published on 09/07/2026. Also new: Kering Jewelry appointments, Sabina Belli appointed President of Kering Italia, and 2026 first half results.

Football Stars Boost Luxury Handbag Demand

Male professional footballers — notably Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé — are increasingly photographed carrying high-end designer handbags, giving luxury houses extra visibility as sales soften in key markets. LVMH and Kering each reported roughly 3% year‑on‑year revenue declines in the first half, with Kering group revenue at €7.2bn from January–June and Gucci contributing about €2.8bn (down ~9%). Brands are leveraging players’ global reach and ambassador roles to push a growing 'man‑bag' segment: Haaland’s Birkin collection is estimated at €1.1m, and players often appear with Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana pieces. Industry analysis (via Bloomberg/Bain & Co.) estimates only about a quarter of the luxury‑handbag market is male, indicating significant room to expand demand through these celebrity-driven channels.

• LVMH reported a 3% year‑on‑year revenue decline in the first half; its share recently hit a six‑year low and is down roughly 26% year‑to‑date.
• Kering reported a 3% revenue decline for the first half; group revenue January–June was €7.2bn, with Gucci contributing about €2.8bn (down ~9% versus the prior half-year).
• Erling Haaland’s collection of Birkin bags is estimated at €1.1m; he and other players have been photographed with Hermès and Dolce & Gabbana pieces.

L'Oréal grows and posts record margin in H1 2026

L’Oréal confirmed strong growth in the first half of 2026, reporting revenue of €23.77 billion (up 5.8%; like‑for‑like growth 6.8%, adjusted 6.5%). E‑commerce and innovation were cited as primary growth drivers. The group achieved a new operating‑margin high of 21.3% and a gross margin of 74.8%. Operating profit rose to €5.06 billion and adjusted net profit was nearly €4.0 billion, up 4.7%. All divisions and regions contributed, with particularly dynamic performance in Professional Products and Dermatological Beauty, strength in SAPMENA‑SSA and North America, and continued recovery in North Asia. Management highlighted increased marketing investment, use of artificial intelligence in product development and marketing, a long‑term licensing agreement with Kering for Gucci, and planned investments in growth markets such as India. The article was published 2026‑07‑30.

• L’Oréal H1 2026 revenue: €23.77 billion, +5.8% (like‑for‑like +6.8%, adjusted +6.5%).
• Gross margin: 74.8%; operating margin reached a record 21.3%.
• Operating profit: €5.06 billion; adjusted net profit: ~€4.0 billion, +4.7%.

Amazon Ads Launches Geographic Insights and Activation in Germany

Amazon Ads has launched Geographic Insights and Activation (GIA) in Germany and eight other markets. GIA provides advertisers using Amazon DSP and Amazon Marketing Cloud with a map-based view of regional brand penetration and sales potential, enabling them to identify growth areas and automatically adjust bids. The tool also integrates with new interactive Prime Video ads that can display region-specific messages, offers, or store information. Early tests by L'Oréal (Kérastase) and Purina showed significant improvements in cost per sale and product detail page views, though results are campaign-specific. GIA is now available in Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, US, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

• Amazon Ads launched Geographic Insights and Activation (GIA) in Germany and eight other markets.
• GIA integrates with Amazon DSP and Amazon Marketing Cloud for regional campaign optimization.
• New interactive Prime Video ads allow region-specific messaging within a single campaign.

Social Media Expert Hans Neubert Returns to L'Oréal

Hans Neubert, a social media expert, has rejoined L'Oréal after a four-year absence. He will lead social media and advocacy for the Kérastase and Shu Uemura brands in the DACH region. Neubert previously worked at L'Oréal on brands like Kiehl's, IT Cosmetics, and Maybelline New York. He announced his return on LinkedIn, expressing enthusiasm for driving social media, influencer, and PR activities. Before returning, he spent about 1.5 years as a consultant at the Berlin-based social media agency charles & charlotte. The article highlights Kérastase's strong performance, contributing to the Professional Products division's €5.2 billion revenue in 2025. Neubert also serves as chairman of the Bundesgesellschaft für digitale Medien and hosts the podcast "Das Urteil".

• Hans Neubert rejoined L'Oréal to lead Social & Advocacy DACH for Kérastase and Shu Uemura.
• He previously worked at L'Oréal four years ago on brands like Kiehl's, IT Cosmetics, and Maybelline New York.
• Before rejoining, he was a consultant at Berlin-based social media agency charles & charlotte for about 1.5 years.

L'Oréal Uses AI to Target Male Audiences for CeraVe in Australia

L'Oréal, aiming to expand its personal care advertising to male audiences, collaborated with Australian creative AI startup Springboards to develop a campaign for its CeraVe brand in Australia and New Zealand. The campaign, launched recently, marks L'Oréal's first tailored effort toward men in the region. Using Springboards' proprietary AI model Flint, which generates high-entropy creative outputs, L'Oréal brainstormed taglines and audience strategies over two weeks, producing 40 unique campaign ideas. The final tagline, 'CeraVe, Your Skin Barrier's MVP,' was developed through collaborative sessions and aligned with local sports events. L'Oréal uses the AI as a brainstorming tool, feeding it consumer insights and brand guidelines, but retains final creative control. The initiative stemmed from L'Oréal's Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program, where Springboards was a finalist.

• L'Oréal collaborated with Springboards, an Australian creative AI startup, to develop the CeraVe campaign targeting male audiences in Australia and New Zealand.
• The campaign launched earlier this week, following a two-week ideation process that generated 40 unique campaign ideas.
• Springboards' AI model 'Flint' was deployed, known for generating high-entropy, unique creative outputs.