Luxury group Kering said its return to growth will take time after its embattled star label Gucci posted another quarter of weak sales and has yet to name a new chief designer to galvanise the Italian brand.

Job insecurity is trending at high-end brands. The departure of Gucci’s creative head after only two years reflects a deeper challenge in the luxury-goods industry. Sabato De Sarno is leaving after producing only a handful of collections,

The French conglomerate, which sacked Gucci designer Sabato de Sarno last week as part of its efforts to revive the label, said sales over the last three months of the year were 4.39 billion euros ($4.52 billion), down 12% on a comparable basis, in line with expectations according to a Visible Alpha consensus cited by UBS.

Kering’s revenue fell by less than analysts expected in the fourth quarter as the Gucci owner seeks to reinvigorate a turnaround plan for its core brand. Some luxury groups have pointed to signs of a rebound in demand,

Gucci quarterly sales tumbled as Kering SA’s biggest label struggles to emerge from an extended demand downturn.

Gucci, worn by celebrities including actress Daisy Edgar-Jones (pictured), saw revenues in the three months to the end of December fall 24% on last year.

The French luxury group reported lower revenue at a time when some peers have signaled a potential rebound in demand.