Armani Group Begins Minority Stake Sale Process with L'Oréal Interest after Founder’s Death

Following the death of founder Giorgio Armani, the Armani Group has commenced informal outreach to potential buyers for a minority stake sale, effectively initiating a de-facto auction. L'Oréal, a long-term strategic partner with a licensing agreement extending to 2050, is among the parties approached, alongside other luxury sector giants such as LVMH and EssilorLuxottica, as specified in Armani's will. The initial sale is intended to be 15% within eighteen months, with a possibility of increasing the stake to 54.9% or a public offering over the next few years. Rothschild, which has longstanding ties to the Armani Foundation, is expected to act as the financial advisor for this process. The Armani Foundation will maintain a minimum 30% stake and retain significant governance influence, including proposing the next CEO, aiming to balance capital opening with preserving the brand's identity. Talks remain preliminary and could take months, with private equity firms not currently involved.