Market Dynamics : 3-1 Market Analysis

Deluxe: How luxury lost its luster, by Dana Thomas, brings a hard hitting, raw look at the world of luxury and the mass demand of luxury that has occurred. The book was published by the Penguin Group in 2007. Luxury is defined by Thomas as truly special, and was only available to the aristocratic world of wealth and old money in western culture. Luxury signified an experience and lifestyle that denotes royalty, fame, and fortune. However, with large companies owning the former family-owned luxury producing businesses, profits are the main goal not the production of luxury. Thomas reveals the unfortunate demise and rise of

Hence, technology is bettering reliability and speed with which information is divulged (Porter, 1980). Hand-held computers or PDA’s are utilized by Zara to collect information on consumer needs between retail stores and the factory in La Coruna. This along with regular telephone conversations between store managers and marketing specialists are one of the reasons that Zara’s information network is so effective. The utilization of PDA’s can be done by any company; it is Zara’s determination not to allow important information to fall by the wayside that assists with its success. PDAs are connected to the store 's point-of-sale (POS) system, enabling managers to see how garments rank by sales. In as little as an hour, managers can send information that combine the hard data captured at the POS intermixed with acumen on what customers would like to see. All of this data allows Zara to design and produce styles and orders based on feedback rather than guesswork. Hence, Zara avoids costly overproduction and the consequent sales and mark-downs that are so widespread in the fast fashion industry (Rohwedder and Johnson, 2008).

The consumption of luxury goods in China is mounting sharply. Not only those born to elite families, but also many common people are greedy for luxury brands (China, a Booming

The luxury market is growing fast in China and India due to the rapidly increasing wealth levels and standard of living gains. Coach must keep in mind the different cultural backgrounds of each country and take that into account when designing and marketing new products and lines.

   Despite a small dip in the second quarter of 2012 the China GDP growth rate is beginning to recover. Also despite a small drop in the demand of luxury goods recently retail sales have grown steadily. Consultancy firm McKinsey & Co predicted that by 2015, China will be the largest luxury goods market in the world (China Daily, 2012).

An increasing economic interdependence of national economies across the world experiences a rapid cross-border movement of goods, service, technology and capital. Luxury goods industry, serve as one of the most competitive industry, emerging and developing rapidly all the time. To a great extent, globalization promotes the development of luxury goods industry significantly in spite of the big shock hit by several times of economic crisis.

The economy will remain unpredictable given the slow economy recovery in many countries across Europe, which is likely to affect disposable income of many households. Widespread cuts in the government spending level, high taxes and inflation, rising oil prices, rising unemployment as well as the rising cost of living in the UK, will certainly affect consumer spending levels on luxury brands, such as Chevrolet and Cadillac. Yet, favorable conditions in foreign markets in India and China, with the demand for cars expected to grow well into 2015, will partly help offset GM’s weak performance in domestic markets in the US and Europe (BBC, 2010).

Since social media is so easily accessible to everyone nowadays people don't care to go and grab the latest vogue for inspiration, they will go on their phones and check their instagram, twitter, Facebook or any social media account to see whats trending. In L2's Advanced IQ List, which positions form brands as per their site offerings, online business, computerized advertising and web-based social networking mindfulness, US ladies' dress planner Tory Burch beats understood worldwide extravagance brands, for example, Gucci, Hermes and Chanel. This shows the huge impact the influence of social media can have on the Fashion industry, the world is moving and progressing through social media and those who chose not to utilize this part of technology so widely used, are going to fall behind those who do. People who are very high up in social media have a very big platform to promote and influence others. Nowadays if you have a huge amount of followers you are practically famous with all eyes watching you. Fashion corporations want people who have this huge platform on social media to promote their styles due to the fact people are going to be strongly persuaded to want or to want to look like something if someone they keep up with on social media looks a certain way or wears a certain piece. Fashion trends from all over the world come to meet each other, merge, change and evolve through social media. The concept of the see

This behavior brings competitive advantages to the European luxury brands. Moreover, customers in different countries have different purchase behaviors. For instance, some countries’ customers are willing to move away from common recognized brand, because they want to purchase more exclusive products. Furthermore, because of the increasing speed of globalization, people are more likely willing to travel between different countries. These travelers will buy luxury good during their trips. In fact, Chinese tourists contributed over one third of sales in Europe. The luxury goods industry should notice to adjust the actual demand between local people and tourists in Europe

Key managers that can run each business independently but with a group vision are also part of the equation. Additionally the luxury industry is strongly dependent on tourism which is influenced by economy trends. The 9-11 events and the global economy slowdown have had a great impact on the industry. Finally huge investments were done to win strategic position, having an important impact on revenues. Appendix 5 is an example of the proportion of cost and impact on revenues and the stock performance.

Conclusion: Overall, the global luxury goods industry still has high potential to growth sustainably in the future. Since the market of this industry is worldwide, companies’ revenues will not largely affected by a single country or region. The important thing is to keep the balance of expansion between different countries. Companies should also be carful about increasing production effectiveness while retain the heritage value of the brands.

The overall sales of luxury goods in the year 2009 is expected to be more than US$150 billion and Asia contributes 10% to it. The concept of luxury is now not confined to only to Europe and US, the Asian subcontinent contributes majorly to it, with India and China as the newly emerging markets. Professor James Twitchell (2002) comments on the democratization of luxury and the changing consumer psychology These new customers for luxury are younger than clients of the old luxe used to be, they are far more numerous, they make their money far sooner, and they are far more flexible in financing and fickle in choice. They do not

Chinese strong appetite for luxury goods, its large market scale and consumers’ high purchasing power for luxury goods fostered by the current social value and atmosphere of showing off status and wealth will significantly make Hermes increase its oversea sales revenue.

1) Haute Couture – highest end, most exclusive, custom for wealthiest (Prada, Burberry, Hermes, Gucci, Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Louis

Emerging markets- The 2 biggest emerging markets for luxury fashion products are China and India, which is a great opportunity for the brand to explore and