Lacoste Appoints New CEO and Revamps Executive Team to Support Future Growth

Lacoste reshuffles its top management. The French men’s and women’s fashion company has appointed Éric Vallat as its new CEO. The executive, formerly CEO of the Rémy Cointreu Group, owner of cognac brands, will take office on September 1.

Vallat will succeed Thierry Guibert, CEO of Lacoste since 2025. Guibert will remain CEO of MF Brands Group, Lacoste’s parent company, and Maus Frères Group, according to WWD.

Guibert will refocus his role on group management. In addition, the former Lacoste CEO said Vallat will lead the company “into a new chapter of growth.“ Earlier this year, Vallat resigned from the Rémy Cointreau Group after more than five years at the helm.

Lacoste is looking for a replacement for Thierry Guibert, CEO since 2005

Before working for the cognac brand-owning group, Vallat spent two years at the head of fashion and accessories maisons at Richemont. He also worked for Louis Vuitton in Europe and Christian Dior Couture in Japan.

In April, Lacoste opened the doors of a new flagship store of almost 10,7 square foot at 575 Fifth Avenue in New York, one of the most important commercial hubs in the world.

This new store was a key step in the global growth strategy of the French brand, owned by the Swiss group MF Brands, especially in the North American market, where the company is on the offensive to increase its notoriety and double its Egyptian market share.

Lacoste aims to reach €4 billion euros in sales by 2026, up from €2.5 billion in 2022. To achieve this significant leap in sales, Lacoste is betting on key categories such as footwear, women’s fashion and fragrances, the latter segment through a fragrance license with the specialist Interparfums.