FLORENCE, April 16 -- Kering CEO Luca de Meo pledged to more than double the luxury group's operating profit margin and boost the appeal of its flagship brand Gucci as he sought to reassure investors unnerved by economic uncertainty and war in the Middle East.

In a more than three-hour presentation to investors and analysts ‌in Gucci's birthplace Florence, the former Renault boss said he would more than double Kering's profit margins, shrink and improve the company's store network and expand its jewellery sector.

Kering shares were down on the Paris stock market following the presentation, trading around 2.5 per cent lower at 1020 GMT (6.20pm Malaysian time).

Gucci, which accounted for around 60 per cent of Kering's profit last y...