PARIS (Reuters) -Francois-Henri Pinault, chairman of the privately-owned holding company Artemis that controls Gucci-owner Kering, said on Tuesday that Artemis' 29% stake in sportswear maker Puma was "not strategic."

Asked about reports that the holding company was sounding out buyers for its $1 billion puma stake, Pinault said at an extraordinary shareholders meeting: "We retain all options regarding this asset."