Kering, Owner of Gucci, Balenciaga, and Other Luxury Brands, Confirms Hack
Kering, owner of Gucci, Balenciaga, and other luxury brands, confirms hack that exposed sensitive customer data across its global fashion houses. The luxury giant admitted that attackers gained access to information from subsidiaries including Gucci, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, and Yves Saint Laurent.
What We Know About the Breach
The breach was first reported by the BBC, which revealed that hackers stole personal details such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, and home addresses. Even more concerning, the attackers accessed customer spending histories, giving them insight into how much money individuals had spent at Kering’s stores worldwide.
Who Is Behind the Attack?
According to reports, the prolific hacking group ShinyHunters is responsible for the breach. The group claims to have stolen the private data of at least 7 million people, though experts suggest the real number could be much higher. Cybersecurity site DataBreaches.net echoed that the scale of the breach may extend beyond initial estimates.
How Kering Is Responding
Kering confirmed it has contacted affected customers but has not disclosed the exact number of people impacted. The company has assured that it is working with cybersecurity experts to strengthen defenses and minimize fallout. Still, the lack of transparency around the full scope of the breach has raised concerns among customers and industry watchers.
Wider Pattern of Attacks
This hack follows a string of recent breaches linked to ShinyHunters, who often target cloud-based databases hosted on platforms like Salesforce. Other high-profile victims in recent months include Google, Allianz Life, Qantas, and Workday. The group’s aggressive tactics highlight a growing threat to luxury and retail brands worldwide.
Why Luxury Brands Are Prime Targets
Cybercriminals often target luxury companies because their customer base includes high-net-worth individuals. Accessing personal data, combined with purchase histories, gives hackers valuable intelligence that can be sold or exploited in scams. For brands like Gucci and Balenciaga, maintaining trust and protecting privacy is as critical as their reputation for exclusivity.
What Customers Should Do
If you’ve shopped at Gucci, Balenciaga, or other Kering-owned brands, experts recommend:
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Watching for phishing emails pretending to be from Kering.
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Monitoring bank and credit card statements for unusual charges.
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Changing passwords linked to your shopping accounts.
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Using multi-factor authentication where possible.
The confirmation that Kering, owner of Gucci, Balenciaga, and other luxury brands, confirms hack adds pressure on fashion houses to strengthen cybersecurity. Luxury no longer just means exclusivity on the runway—it also requires protecting digital trust. How Kering and other fashion giants handle these challenges could shape the future of luxury retail security.
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