Designer trinkets add sparkle to Vendome's results

Vendome, the luxury goods group which owns the Cartier and Mont Blanc brands, has benefited from increasing spending on designer trinkets. Profits last year exceeded SFr500m for the first time. Though this represents a 9.5 per cent increase on last year, the strength of the pound means the sterling equivalent is a 4 per cent decrease to pounds 241.8m. Lord Douro, deputy chairman (right), pictured with Joseph Kanoui, chairman, said sales of jewellery were 12 per cent higher while jewel-encrusted gold watches were also popular. Sales in the Far East were particularly strong.

Photograph: Andrew Buurman