Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, has announced plans to open two or three Vuitton stores in China over the course of the next few years. Arnault believes that “if the growth continues at the same pace, China will be the largest global market within twenty years”. According to LVMH, Louis Vuitton has been profitable in China since its installation in 1992 and the turnover has nearly doubled at a rate of 50% each year. Vuitton is opening a boutique in Peking in the luxurious shopping district “China World”, a little more than a year after opening a similar store in Shanghai.

Christian Dior Couture has hired the former Press and Public Relations Officer of Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche. Oliver Bialobos previously held positions at Escada Couture, and KCD Paris from 2000 to 2002, before moving to Saint Laurent in July 2002. Bialobos replaces Elizabeth Musmanno, who is returning to the US after having completed a one-year assignment at the post.

Layoff notices are soon to go out to the 157 employees of luxury shoe maker Charles Jourdan, recently bought out by the Avendis Capital group. The sale of the four divisions - Charles Jourdan Industrie (production), Charles Jourdan France (marketing and administration) Sodepar (boutiques and factory), CJRCP (three stores) - was made final on August 22. The layoffs concern only Charles Jourdan Industrie and Charles Jourdan France.