CONSUMERS

London & NYC Most Important Cities for Super Rich

Though much wealth creation is taking place in the world’s new economic powerhouses, London & New York remain the most important cities for the super-rich

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Though much wealth creation is taking place in the world’s new economic powerhouses, London & New York remain the most important cities for the super-rich

Though much wealth creation is taking place in the world’s new economic powerhouses, London & New York remain the most important cities for the super-rich

According to Knight Frank’s 2013 wealth report, the number of people with US$30m or more in net assets (referred to as HNWIs) rose by 5% in 2012, to 189,835 individuals, based to data prepared exclusively for the report by Wealth-X. The combined wealth held by HNWIs also grew by 2%, or US$566bn, to just over US$26tr in 2012.

As the world’s population nears seven billion, a consumer group of less than 200,000 individuals may initially seem like a limited audience for brands, and indeed for many it will be. But for the luxury industry, this elite consumer group presents significant opportunities not only for growth, but for sustained performance during times of economic crisis.

“ Over the next 10 years, 95,000 people are forecast to break the US$30m wealth barrier, a cumulative 50% rise ”

It was these very consumers that continued to splurge on luxury items at the height of the recession, whose fortunes continued to grow despite the woes of the greater economy. Over the next 10 years, 95,000 people are forecast to break the US$30m wealth barrier – a cumulative 50% rise – taking the total number of HNWIs across the globe to around 285,665.

Though much wealth creation is taking place in the world’s new economic powerhouses, London and New York are still considered the most important cities for the super-rich, with a billionaire population of 118 and 102 respectively. In ten years time, it is expected that London will still remain the top spot for the world’s wealthy, though Singapore is similarly expected to take over New York.

Here Knight Frank takes a look into the cities that are most important in terms of wealth concentration, and how that mix is set to change in the coming decade.

Join LS in London on Wednesday May 15th to Better Understand the UHNW Consumer, with our debut Luxury Society Keynote produced in association with Bloomberg.

We are proud to be investigating this coveted consumer segment with representatives from Fabergé, NetJets, Hervé Léger, Shangri-La Hotels, Aston Martin, Linley, The Jet Business, Louis XIII, MB&F;, Fraser Yachts, Maybourne Hotel Group and Roland Iten.

We invite you discover full details of the event here.

Sophie Doran
Sophie Doran

Sophie Doran is currently Senior Creative Strategist, Digital at Karla Otto. Prior to this role, she was the Paris-based editor-in-chief of Luxury Society. Prior to joining Luxury Society, Sophie completed her MBA in Melbourne, Australia, with a focus on luxury brand dynamics and leadership, whilst simultaneously working in management roles for several luxury retailers.

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