Gucci Announces De Sole's Successor

Italian luxury group Gucci have announced Robert Polet will be heading the eponymous retailer as the newly appointed chief executive to succeed Domenico de Sole. Polet joins the group after a 26-year career with consumer giant Unilever's frozen foods division.

After the departure of de Sole and Tom Ford after the full buyout of Gucci by French retail group Pinault Printemps Redoute (PPR), Polet will join the board of PPR as was stated by its chairman, Serge Weinberg.

Weinberg stated: "We are thrilled about Robert's appointment. His international background, his broad experience in developing brands, his entrepreneurial and managerial talents and his ability to be both a leader and team player make him an ideal choice to run Gucci Group."

Polet said: "I'm very honoured and excited to have been named to run Gucci Group. The different brands within Gucci Group are iconic names in the world of fashion and luxury goods. I consider it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be entrusted with their development. It's a great challenge to succeed Domenico De Sole, and I'm greatly looking forward to working with the wonderfully talented people of Gucci Group to write a new chapter in its brilliant story."

PPR has reported strong growth across its retail operations, ranging from Gucci to the Fnac books and music chain. Group sales of EUR5,759.9m were up 7.1 per cent, and up by 10.4 per cent outside the France, where consumer spending has been slow. PPR's UK home shopping brands, which is operated by La Redoute, saw 1.5 per cent growth on a comparable basis.