Pinault Says Luxury Industry Faces Shortage of Non-Design Talent

PARIS, France — The fashion and luxury-goods industry is facing a shortage of skilled workers, according to Francois-Henri Pinault, chief executive officer of Kering SA, the owner of the Gucci brand.

"We're struggling to find key people" in functions such as product development, visual merchandising, marketing and communication, Pinault said in an interview today in Milan, where Kering and Vogue Italia presented an initiative to offer internships to young people.

In the past 10 to 15 years, Kering has focused on recruiting and retaining design talent, Pinault said. That focus needs to widen to other functions, he said.

Kering will offer 23 internships at Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Brioni, Sergio Rossi, Boucheron, Girard-Perregaux, JeanRichard and Pomellato in Italy, France and Switzerland, Pinault said. Vogue Italia will help identify suitable candidates.

Pinault said he’s confident “we will spot amazing people through this partnership.”

Kering employs about 30,000 people, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

By: Andrew Roberts Editors: Thomas Mulier, Robert Valpuesta