Bernard Arnault, Chairman of LVMH, is set to visit South Korea for the first time in nearly three years. His trip is seen as an opportunity to assess the operations of Louis Vuitton stores in major department stores, reflecting the growing importance of the South Korean luxury market.
According to Yonhap News on May 9, Arnault will visit the Shinsegae department store in central Seoul on May 11. The flagship store will be closed that day, allowing Arnault to tour the premises and review operational conditions with internal staff in a relatively quiet environment.
The Shinsegae flagship store features 'Louis Vuitton Visionary Journey Seoul,' which opened in December 2022. This location is the largest Louis Vuitton store in the world, spanning six floors and offering not only retail space but also experiential areas showcasing the brand's history, culture, and craftsmanship, along with a restaurant and café.
After visiting the Shinsegae flagship, Arnault and his team are expected to tour Louis Vuitton stores at Lotte Department Store's main and Jamsil locations, as well as the Shinsegae Gangnam store, among other key retail channels in South Korea.
This marks Arnault's first visit to South Korea since March 2023, when he met with leaders from the domestic retail sector, including Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Group. It remains to be seen if he will hold similar meetings with business and retail figures during this trip.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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