Chanel H1 sales jump 16% under Blazy

Chanel’s first-half 2026 sales rose about 16%, according to a Bloomberg report published on August 5 and cited by Reuters, giving the privately held French luxury house a stronger performance than listed rivals including LVMH and Hermès. The reported gain was tied to demand for new collections from creative director Matthieu Blazy, whose first Chanel designs reached stores in March. Chanel declined to comment on the Bloomberg report, according to WWD. The figures emerged as luxury groups contend with a slower market, particularly in China and tourist spending. ### How much did Chanel report, and who said it? Bloomberg reported on August 5 that Chanel’s comparable revenue jumped about 16% in the first half of 2026, citing a person familiar with the company’s performance. Reuters repeated that figure in a same-day report and said the increase outpaced rivals in a difficult luxury environment. WWD reported the company posted double-digit revenue growth in the first half, while saying Chanel declined to comment on Bloomberg’s account. FashionNetwork separately reported that Chanel’s sales jumped 16% as shoppers responded to Blazy’s new collections. ### Why is Matthieu Blazy central to this story? Matthieu Blazy’s first Chanel collections arrived in stores in March, according to Reuters-linked coverage carried by MarketScreener and other outlets. (bloomberg.com) Bloomberg and Reuters both tied the first-half gain to demand for those new collections. May 19 is the other key date in the timeline. (msn.com) Reuters reported then that Chanel had returned to growth in 2025 as Blazy’s redesigned versions of classic bags, shoes and jackets drew in shoppers who had not previously bought the brand. That report said demand for some products outstripped supply after the March store launch. (in.marketscreener.com) ### How does Chanel compare with LVMH and Hermès? LVMH and Hermès were the main comparison points in August 5 coverage because both are public barometers for the luxury sector. Bloomberg’s report said Chanel beat listed rivals including LVMH, and Reuters said the house outperformed peers as the sector dealt with weaker momentum. CNBC reported on August 5 that European luxury stocks remained a lagging pocket of the market because of slower China sales, weaker tourism spending and stretched valuations. (marketscreener.com) That backdrop helps explain why Chanel’s reported first-half growth drew attention beyond fashion trade media. ### Did Chanel show signs of this rebound earlier in the year? Chanel reported on May 19 that 2025 revenue rose 2% in currency-adjusted terms to $19.3 billion, according to Reuters. (bloomberg.com) Operating profit increased 5% to $4.7 billion, the report said, as the company returned to growth after a weaker prior period. The March in-store debut of Blazy’s first products was already showing up in shopper demand by then. (ww.fashionnetwork.com) Reuters said customers bought reinvented handbags, mint-green and black two-tone pumps priced at $1,450, and multicolored tweed jackets, with demand exceeding supply. ### What comes next from Chanel? Chanel is privately held by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, which means it does not report on the same quarterly schedule as listed groups such as LVMH and Hermès. (marketscreener.com) Public updates have instead come through annual disclosures and reporting around them, including the company’s May 19 release of 2025 revenue and profit figures. The next formal checkpoint is likely Chanel’s next annual results cycle, when the company typically provides audited revenue and profit figures for the prior year. (in.marketscreener.com) Until then, August 5 reporting from Bloomberg, Reuters, WWD and FashionNetwork is the clearest public read on how Blazy’s first collections have performed since reaching stores in March. (bloomberg.com) (fashionweekdaily.com)