Scott Kerr sits down with Laurent Claquin, President of Kering Americas. Claquin heads the North and Latin American expansion of Kering’s 12 iconic luxury houses including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Venetta, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga. Claquin discusses how the luxury conglomerate nurtures a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship to stay agile and creative, and how its signature "Empower Imagination" permeates through each of the brands. He also talks about how the pandemic has put distance selling and virtual shopping in the spotlight, and why physical stores need to be a destination for human connection and education. Plus: Claquin shares his thoughts on the opportunities and challenges the luxury industry faces as the market returns, the luxury industry's response to social issues, and Kering's position as a sustainability leader. Featuring: Laurent Claquin, President of Kering Americas Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting About The Luxury Item podcast: The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry. Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertoneconsulting Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com