As the China luxury market shifts to a slower growth rate, brands need to turn their focus on optimising their operations.
CONSUMERS
In 2024, expect more of the same. Now is the time to optimise.
Credit: Unsplash
2023 Highlights: Normalisation of Growth
For most, early in 2023, expectations were set for Luxury consumption in China to make a ‘comeback’. At the outset, it looked true, however, 2023 quickly took a turn in the other direction by the third quarter. Looking back, it is clear early expectations were unrealistic. Performance versus an exceptionally complicated 2022 was always going to be positive, but that didn’t mean a return to 2021 China revenue levels for many luxury brands. Furthermore, after decades of rapid growth, driven by the expanding and prospering middle class, a period of normalisation was inevitable.
Credit: DLG (Digital Luxury Group)
In this state of normalisation, we still see luxury e-commerce in China growing. This is evident as brands continue launching flagship stores on platforms like Tmall and JD.com, their most visible touchpoint in the world. As such, presence on these major marketplaces also plays a critical role in shaping brand perception as Chinese luxury consumers turn to digital touchpoints along their consumer journey, even though the vast majority of luxury spend remains in offline spaces.
Coming out of 2023, brands face two major challenges. Most luxury brands in China have operated and benefited for years under the premise that the middle class would continue to grow and prosper. Today, this set of luxury consumers face income and wealth insecurities impacting their appetite for luxury. At the same time, the number of HNWIs has grown too and is expected to double over the next several years. These two different profiles contribute almost equally to the current luxury consumption in China, so most brands cannot ignore one for the other.
Credit: DLG (Digital Luxury Group)
The second challenge is the Chinese luxury consumer abroad and domestically. With the investments made in China during the pandemic, luxury consumers no longer need to travel abroad for the tangible benefits of better pricing, assortment, and experience. Yet, it is already clear that they are keen to keep travelling. Those who do are likely to be a different kind of consumer versus pre-pandemic days.
2024 Outlook: More of the Same
We expect 2024 to be very much in line with 2023. As a result, we have identified a few opportunities for luxury brands to continue pursuing growth in the China market.
For brands in the early stages of their brand footprint in the market, the table stakes are establishing storefronts on Tmall and JD.com. More channels than that may offer additional revenue streams but should be closely scrutinized, including the cost and sustainability of operating these channels while still delivering a compelling brand experience.
Credit: DLG (Digital Luxury Group)
For more established brands in the market, deploying a relevant CRM strategy in China is critical. As most CRM systems are global, a CRM strategy for China often triggers a global conversation. However, whether simple in the sense of scale and implementation, or within a full-fledged omnichannel integration, brands should give time and attention to their China CRM operations. WeChat enables brands to capture behavioural and transactional first party data points, which allows brands to deliver meaningful value to their clients and prospects. Whether online or offline, domestic or abroad, WeChat is meant to be the central touchpoint (a brand hub) that the same consumer will access while moving across different consumer channels and experiences.
Overall, the best luxury brands are starting to turn their attention to optimisation. For many, it requires resetting KPIs, roles, skillsets, and the overall approach.
Hear more details in the latest DLG Webinar Series #16: 2023 Recap and 2024 Outlook for Luxury in China below.
Partner & Head of International Client Development, DLG
Iris has 15 years of marketing experience in agencies and consultancies in the North American and Asia Pacific markets, specializing in the luxury category. She has worked closely with brands including Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, LVMH, Richemont, Ermenegildo Zegna, Christian Louboutin, Estée Lauder Companies and Ralph Lauren. Her marketing experience spans the areas of branding and communication strategy, digital strategy, market research and analysis, media and editorial planning, as well as online and offline activations. Previously based in Shanghai for over five years, Iris now resides in New York.
CONSUMERS
In 2024, expect more of the same. Now is the time to optimise.
Credit : Unsplash
As the China luxury market shifts to a slower growth rate, brands need to turn their focus on optimising their operations.
2023 Highlights: Normalisation of Growth
For most, early in 2023, expectations were set for Luxury consumption in China to make a ‘comeback’. At the outset, it looked true, however, 2023 quickly took a turn in the other direction by the third quarter. Looking back, it is clear early expectations were unrealistic. Performance versus an exceptionally complicated 2022 was always going to be positive, but that didn’t mean a return to 2021 China revenue levels for many luxury brands. Furthermore, after decades of rapid growth, driven by the expanding and prospering middle class, a period of normalisation was inevitable.
Credit: DLG (Digital Luxury Group)
In this state of normalisation, we still see luxury e-commerce in China growing. This is evident as brands continue launching flagship stores on platforms like Tmall and JD.com, their most visible touchpoint in the world. As such, presence on these major marketplaces also plays a critical role in shaping brand perception as Chinese luxury consumers turn to digital touchpoints along their consumer journey, even though the vast majority of luxury spend remains in offline spaces.
Coming out of 2023, brands face two major challenges. Most luxury brands in China have operated and benefited for years under the premise that the middle class would continue to grow and prosper. Today, this set of luxury consumers face income and wealth insecurities impacting their appetite for luxury. At the same time, the number of HNWIs has grown too and is expected to double over the next several years. These two different profiles contribute almost equally to the current luxury consumption in China, so most brands cannot ignore one for the other.
Credit: DLG (Digital Luxury Group)
The second challenge is the Chinese luxury consumer abroad and domestically. With the investments made in China during the pandemic, luxury consumers no longer need to travel abroad for the tangible benefits of better pricing, assortment, and experience. Yet, it is already clear that they are keen to keep travelling. Those who do are likely to be a different kind of consumer versus pre-pandemic days.
2024 Outlook: More of the Same
We expect 2024 to be very much in line with 2023. As a result, we have identified a few opportunities for luxury brands to continue pursuing growth in the China market.
For brands in the early stages of their brand footprint in the market, the table stakes are establishing storefronts on Tmall and JD.com. More channels than that may offer additional revenue streams but should be closely scrutinized, including the cost and sustainability of operating these channels while still delivering a compelling brand experience.
Credit: DLG (Digital Luxury Group)
For more established brands in the market, deploying a relevant CRM strategy in China is critical. As most CRM systems are global, a CRM strategy for China often triggers a global conversation. However, whether simple in the sense of scale and implementation, or within a full-fledged omnichannel integration, brands should give time and attention to their China CRM operations. WeChat enables brands to capture behavioural and transactional first party data points, which allows brands to deliver meaningful value to their clients and prospects. Whether online or offline, domestic or abroad, WeChat is meant to be the central touchpoint (a brand hub) that the same consumer will access while moving across different consumer channels and experiences.
Overall, the best luxury brands are starting to turn their attention to optimisation. For many, it requires resetting KPIs, roles, skillsets, and the overall approach.
Hear more details in the latest DLG Webinar Series #16: 2023 Recap and 2024 Outlook for Luxury in China below.
Partner & Head of International Client Development, DLG
Iris has 15 years of marketing experience in agencies and consultancies in the North American and Asia Pacific markets, specializing in the luxury category. She has worked closely with brands including Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, LVMH, Richemont, Ermenegildo Zegna, Christian Louboutin, Estée Lauder Companies and Ralph Lauren. Her marketing experience spans the areas of branding and communication strategy, digital strategy, market research and analysis, media and editorial planning, as well as online and offline activations. Previously based in Shanghai for over five years, Iris now resides in New York.
