Kering takes public stand against racism: contributes to NAACP and to Campaign Zero

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jun 3, 2020

Kering, one of the largest luxury groups on the planet, has made financial commitment to fight racism, with contributions to the NAACP and to Campaign Zero.

 
The move comes after eight days and nights of protests involving tens of thousands of people in multiple American cities. The occurred in the week following George Floyd's killing, which happened after policemen kneeled on his neck for over nine minutes before taking him into custody in Minneapolis.
 
“Kering and all its brands stand in solidarity against racism.
Too many Black lives have been lost in the fight for equality in America. We will not stand by silently,” Kering said in a release.

“On behalf of all its brands, Kering is making a donation to:The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), which fights to eliminate race-based discrimination in the United States; and to Campaign Zero, an organization that aims to reduce police violence in the United States,” the Paris-based luxury conglomerate said.
 
During the past weekend's protests, multiple luxury brands were the target of looters. Gucci boutiques, alongside Chanel and Hermes, were attacked as vandals raided luxury shopping streets in the Soho district of New York and in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. 
 
Within its stable of luxury brands, Kering owns Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Brioni, Boucheron, Pomellato, Dodo, Qeelin, Ulysse Nardin, Girard-Perregaux and Kering Eyewear.
 
Each brand acknowledges “that words alone are not enough and want to contribute to organizations focused on combating systemic racism and ending police violence towards the Black community in the United States,” the French group stressed.
 
Kering added that it plans to “continue to develop initiatives and internal programs to foster respect, equality and fairness, recognizing that it is a journey and we are committed to continuously doing the work.
 
Quoted on the Paris Bourse, Kering had nearly 38,000 employees at the end of 2019, scoring global revenues of €15.9 billion in that year.