Kering bets on Gucci revival despite lagging sales, as investors maintain optimism

Kering’s fourth-quarter results revealed a significant hit to profits, largely driven by sluggish sales at Gucci, its flagship brand. Yet, despite the challenging period, investor sentiment remains surprisingly upbeat. Shares in Kering rose following its financial reporting and abrupt departure of Gucci’s creative director Sabato De Sarno, who exited after a brief stint of under two years. The market’s reaction suggests confidence in Kering’s strategic pivot and its potential to steer Gucci back to growth, even if that journey won’t fully materialize until at least 2026.