Why did Bernard Arnault visit Laopu Gold, Songmont in Shanghai?

Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive of LVMH, was spotted at Laopu Gold’s IFC Mall boutique in Shanghai on September 16. According to people present posting on social media, Arnault spent about half an hour inside, examining several of the jeweler’s best-selling pieces, reportedly calling them “exquisite” and “intriguing.” When reached for comment, Laopu Gold declined, citing client privacy. The visit came during Arnault’s third consecutive year traveling to China for market research. Unlike previous trips, which largely centered on LVMH’s own portfolio, this time his attention turned to Laopu Gold, the first Chinese jeweler to go public specifically positioning itself around ancient craftsmanship techniques — a signal that the country’s heritage-focused luxury brands are increasingly attracting global attention. How Laopu Gold stands out Popular items on its Tmall store, including the Six-Syllable Mantra Bead Necklace (六字真言金珠锁骨链) and Vajra Pendant (十字金刚杵钻饰吊坠), demonstrate how the brand combines traditional Chinese spiritual symbols with ancient craftsmanship methods to differentiate itself. That same day, the LVMH chief also visited Chinese bag label Songmont’s Taikoo Li Qiantan store in Shanghai. Founded on an ethos of “quiet luxury” and rooted in East Asian aesthetics, the brand has quickly risen to prominence. Its Hobo bag series sold over 3,000 units last month on Tmall, and the company recently announced plans for an exhibition in Paris titled “The Sound of Distant Mountains” to amplify its presence abroad. Arnault’s itinerary has fueled speculation on whether LVMH might be eyeing potential acquisitions. The visits underscore a new competitive reality in China’s luxury market. While established international brands face headwinds, domestic players like Laopu Gold and Songmont are thriving by taking different approaches — authentically localized heritage craftsmanship versus contemporary East Asian aesthetics. For LVMH, understanding these divergent yet successful positioning strategies isn’t just market research — it’s competitive intelligence for navigating China’s evolving luxury landscape.

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Why did Bernard Arnault visit Laopu Gold, Songmont in Shanghai?