Gucci and PPR Puma Q1 sales disappoint

  PARIS, 25 April (Reuters) - PPR on Thursday in the first quarter, sales were disappointing, especially for his label Gucci fashion and sports brand Puma, affected by declining market in Europe and slowing growth in China.

The French group, which also owns fashion houses Yves Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, said he saw no signs of improvement in China, the main engine of growth for the luxury industry.

"We see no signs of a pick-up in China," he told reporters on a conference call CFO Jean-Marc Duplaix PPR.

PPR a total like-for-like sales in the first quarter by 3.1 percent, forecasts touchdown to 5-6 percent growth, while sales rose only 4 percent to Gucci expectations for an increase of 6 percent over.

Sport and Lifestyle Group division, which includes Puma, saw its first-quarter sales fell 2.5 percent, while the market is expected to grow by 1 percent.

PPR is committed to remain vigilant on costs and improve financial results in 2013.

(Reporting by Astrid Wendlandt, edited by Geert De Clercq)