Employees of LVMH's Champagne division mobilize against the elimination of bonuses

According to the inter-union CGT Champagne, employees of LVMH's Champagne division in France are mobilizing against the elimination of a profit-sharing bonus “that has existed since 1967.”

“The mobilization is due to the withdrawal this year of the participation in the profits of Moët & Chandon. It has been in force since 1967, and it is the first time. The employees have also been informed of the cancellation of the participation bonus in the value, alleging that the group generated slightly lower profits,” José Blanco, general secretary of the inter-union CGT Champagne, told AFP on Friday.

Following the strikes on December 5 and 8, a demonstration was held on Thursday in front of the Moët & Chandon headquarters.

“This strike took place on Thursday in Épernay, in front of the Moët & Chandon headquarters, with all the group's champagne houses: Veuve Clicquot, Krug, Moët & Chandon… and the support of other champagne houses. About 600 people were present,” said Blanco.

“At first it was not supposed to be a demonstration, but an information meeting organized at Moët & Chandon. In the end, the employees gathered on Avenue de Champagne and blocked it,” explained Mr. Blanco.

Other actions are being considered, but a date has not yet been set. Contacted by AFP, LVMH did not comment.

LVMH's wine and spirits division, which includes champagnes (Moët & Chandon, Krug, Ruinart…), as well as wines (Château Cheval Blanc, Château d'Yquem, Château d'Esclans…), Hennessy cognac and Glenmorangie whiskey, experienced a sharp decline in 2024, with revenue falling 11% year-on-year to €5.9 billion. euros.

During the first nine months of 2025, the division's revenue fell another 7%, notably due to customs duties. However, the group estimates that sales returned to growth (at constant exchange rates) in the third quarter, “with an improvement in Champagne, good growth in rosé wines and still weak demand in cognac.”

According to HSBC analysts, sales of champagne and wine represented 4% of LVMH's €84.7 billion in revenue in 2024, and sales of cognac and liqueurs accounted for 3%. The bank forecasts an 11% drop in champagne and wine sales in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The division, which announced plans to reduce its workforce in the spring, has been led since February by the group's former chief financial officer, Jean-Jacques Guiony, helped by Alexandre Arnault, son of billionaire and LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault.