China uncertainty clouds outlook for luxury sector

Pedestrians and shoppers wait to cross a road in front of a Louis Vuitton store, operated by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, in the Central district of Hong Kong, China, on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. Photographer: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg

PARIS: Investors are bracing for a steep slowdown in luxury sales when luxury companies report their first quarter results, reflecting lacklustre Chinese demand and comparisons with last year when the lifting of COVID curbs in mainland China boosted sales.

LVMH, the world's biggest luxury group, is first to report on April 16, followed by rivals Kering, Prada and Hermes a week later. Burberry and Richemont follow in May.