Paris - The world's biggest luxury group, LVMH, has increased its stake in leather bag maker Hermes to 22.3 per cent and now has 16 per cent of voting rights, according to a statement from France's AMF stock market regulator.

LVMH, which previously held 21.4 per cent of its smaller rival, plans to continue buying Hermes shares "according to circumstances and the market situation," LVMH said in a filing to the AMF.

The group, led by billionaire businessman Bernard Arnault, said it did not plan to take control of Hermes or make a takeover offer for the company, according to the AMF.

LVMH has been gradually increasing its holding in Hermes since it was revealed 14 months ago that it had built up a surprise 17 per cent stake.

Hermes family shareholders have responded to the stakebuilding by creating a majority family holding that will shield it from the threat of a takeover.