Louis Vuitton owner LVMH reportedly in talks to buy Rapha

The photo is captioned 'Wiggins Hour jersey'. He did 54.526 km so why have they got it showing 55. something? Perhaps an early design test? And I would never buy Rapha kit, way over priced, perhaps it's because I am a tight Yorkshireman.

Mottram is an accountant.

More importantly, the source article does not mention L Catterton. So, is it LVMH or L Catterton who are in talks with Rapha?

To say that LVMH and Groupe Arnault took a stake in L Catterton is, I think, a slight mischaracterisation. Groupe Arnault's private equity arm, L Capital combined with Catterton after L Capital's Asian office lost a shed load of money. LVMH/Groupe Arnault have a minority position in the combined firm, but it seems to me that they put their unruly child for adoption whilst retaining some visitation rights. The original press release: http://www.lcatterton.com/Press.html#!/Catterton_Creates_LCatterton

Expect the quality to go down because LV will start producing Rapha stuff in cheap illegal sweatshops, like they do with a lot of their current line, yet the idiots buying it think it's "handmade".

LVMH are pretty shrewd operators and if they did acquire Rapha, I very much doubt many of us would notice beyond an announcement. Of course they would wish to expand the footprint and sales of the company and that may be where the strategic fit lies and where LVMH's expertise comes to the fore.
Rapha is a hugely impressive start up growth story but sometimes founders discover that they need something extra to take it to the next level. Perhaps certain parties wish to step back or perhaps they don't as we're all speculating at this stage.
I did hear that Nike approached Rapha last year but they were rejected (cultural fit might have been an issue). So if they do sell up, expect things to carry on as they are but with significantly more capital behind it to take the brand global. We are all free to make our own choices but I personally really wouldn't begrudge anyone cashing their chips in.

There is a fear because Rapha are possibly the only brand who really hit every note just right for many cyclists. I don't personally know of any other brand who does in this market. Not 1. So losing Rapha's quality, style, affordability (lol it could get worse) etc - just one of those, would trash the brand.

That said, what Rapha has done is brilliant, and if they do become less desireable, there is plenty of room for a new business to capitalise on what has gone on before. Rapha came out of nowhere, and it will be even easier now for another company to do the same.

You just need the talent and the investment will be easy. They'll be throwing cash at you in the city (Retail Week reckons city investors are loopy about cycling growth right now).

Not that I think Rapha will be going to the dogs any time soon anyway. Rare to see such a brilliant little British company, would be a shame to see it falter.

Firstly: I wish Simon and Rapha all of the very best. The product, under his guidance, is amongst the very best: great fit, quality and designed for purpose. The pseudo nostalgia angle, entirely overplayed, is nevertheless enjoyed and I can [eyes wide shut?] buy into the Cycling lifestyle spin.

Secondly: LVMH? I have never sought to buy any of their products specifically. I have definitely purchased on an ad hoc basis, but there is no sense of lifestyle connection, bespoke design, loyalty, nor commitment.

And that, I guess, is precisely why  LVMH would like to add to their portfolio.

but I thought Simon has only ever been a minority stakeholder in Rapha, because of all the private equity they needed to get them going in the first place, but he's always been good at PR so became the public face of the company.

But so even if all the stakeholders agreed to sell up the money would be split many ways, and Im not sure Rapha is worth as much even to Louis Vuitton to provide enough to retire to the Cotswolds for ever,, as although Im sure the quoted profits above are just a typo, I dont think they make oodles of cash, its always more been about their growth.

It's a pretty good testiment to the success of the brand and it'll be really interesting to see if these rumours actually materialise to anything. No bad thing at all...

Having a 21 year old autistic child that is still in nappies and needs round the clock care might have something to do with it.
I quote: "If I'm going to do something, I really do it - there's no messing around. And it's got to make some money because I know Oscar is going to be needy for the rest of his life".

Perhaps walk a mile in another man's shoes before jumping to conclusions.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/relationships/fatherhood/10998174/Rapha-b...

If this is true it's very frustrating and seems to be endemic in Britain. A great company is developed, by dedicated people then the whole lot is sold off to a holding brand and the managing directors go off to buy cottages in the Cotswolds  

Come on Rapha, take it on. Take pride in your background instead of selling out. Go and take on the market. Diversify & build into a brand that buys LV. Not throws in the towel at the sniff of cash 

Cyclists strutting their stuff in 'Dior' on the catwalk, can't wait!

Can we look forward to Louis Vuitton's usual customers - rappers and reality TV celebrities - wearing Rapha jerseys on the red carpets at award ceremonies? It's the logical next step for such a brand-focussed company.

Please no. That said, it could raise the capital they need to go all in and do a full women's range. Women are still buying mens Rapha kit in 2016, especially those aero jerseys.

Outlet? Archive store, with a carefully curated selection, surely... 

Loius Vuitton, sounds fake, don't do it Rapha.