Kering Group - 2013 Reference Document
Claudio SottorivaThe Kering group was founded by François Pinault in 1963, as a timber and building materials business. In the mid- 1990s the Group repositioned itself on the retail market and soon became one of the leading players in the sector. The acquisition of a controlling stake in Gucci Group in 1999 and the establishment of a multi-brand Luxury Goods group marked a new stage in the Group’s development. In 2007, the Group seized a new growth opportunity with the purchase of a controlling stake in PUMA, a world leader and benchmark in sportlifestyle. In 2013, the listing of Groupe Fnac and the announced disposal of La Redoute represent a major milestone in the process of divesting mass market retailing assets, a strategic decision made a few years ago. Kering strategy remains focused on growing apparel and accessory brands that operate within two of the most dynamic sectors – Luxury and Sport & Lifestyle
