LVMH’s Secret to Growth: Champagne, Fashion and New Leaders

For many, Champagne is for celebrating success. But for some, it’s the secret behind it.

At least, that seems to be the case for the French multinational luxury goods company LVMH.

Led by billionaire Bernard Arnault, the company has posted more encouraging quarterly sales numbers with partial thanks to increased sales of Moet & Chandon Champagne.

The group reported on 14 October a 1% rise in organic revenue for the third quarter of 2025, marking an improvement in trends after a subdued start to the year. 

Its Wines & Spirits division, buoyed by the rebound in Champagne sales, returned to organic growth, providing a lift amid ongoing challenges in its Fashion & Leather Goods segment. 

The Champagne and wines subcategory grew organically by around 7% during the quarter.

Overall, LVMH recorded €58.1bn (US$67.6bn) in revenue over the first nine months of the year, a 2% decline on an organic basis but a sign of resilience in a challenging macroeconomic and currency environment.

This 2% decline is far less-than-expected by analysts.

LVMH says: “In an uncertain economic and geopolitical environment, the Group remains confident and will maintain a strategy focused on continuously enhancing the desirability of its brands, drawing on the authenticity and quality of its products, excellence in retail and agile organisation.”

Creative changes

According to Bloomberg, Piral Dadhania, RBC Capital Markets analyst said in a note about the 1% rise in group sales: “Overall, we view these results as a step in the right direction.”

Amid the growth uncertainties, LVMH has carried out changes in some of its top fashion brands.

In June 2025, Christian Dior Couture named Jonathan Anderson as Creative Director of Dior’s womenswear, menswear and haute couture divisions.

At the time of his appointment he said: “I am incredibly honoured to be given the opportunity to unite Dior’s women’s, men’s and couture collections under a single, cohesive vision.

“My instinct is to be led by the house’s empathetic spirit. I look forward to working alongside its legendary ateliers to craft the next chapter of this incredible story.”

According to Reuters, it frames Jonathan’s “unique artistic signature” as a path to reversing lagging momentum.

In the world of Fendi, Maria Grazia Chiuri was named the luxury fashion house’s Chief Creative Officer on 14 October, marking her return to where she began her career.

A former accessories designer at Fendi from 1989 to 1999, Vogue says Maria played a key role in developing the iconic Baguette bag. 

This follows her successful tenure at Dior, where she became the house’s first female Creative Director and helped grow sales from €2.2bn (US$2.5bn)  in 2017 to €9.5bn (US$11bn) in 2023 -  according to HSBC.

She is expected to bring her fresh relevance and momentum to Fendi. 

Bernard said: “Maria Grazia Chiuri is one of the greatest creative talents in fashion today.

“I am convinced that Maria Grazia will contribute to the artistic renewal and future success of the maison.” 

According to Vogue, Fendi CEO, Ramon Ros, said: “Her talent and vision will be instrumental in fortifying Fendi’s heritage… and deepening our commitment to Italian craftsmanship.” 

Maria will debut her first collection in February 2026.

China’s potential in increasing LVMH’s growth 

LVMH has endured an extended pullback in China, long an important market for its luxury growth. But signs of recovery are emerging. 

According to Bloomberg, sales in the region rose 2% last quarter, after falling 9% in the first half. 

“The company is seeing encouraging China demand, despite the macroeconomic picture,” LVMH’s Chief Financial Officer, Cécile Cabanis, told analysts on a call Tuesday, Bloomberg reports.

Morningstar analyst Jelena Sokolova added in an email: “There’s further potential for a pickup in China, where consumers are still sitting on a big chunk of savings post-Covid.” 

She said LVMH’s rebound “should be supportive of sentiment in the sector.”