Modern Retail’s Post

Not really thought about my Mulberry Bayswater family until reading this piece by Laura Craik in The Telegraph today. [Like Russian dolls, I have the big fella weekend-away bag down to the teeny can-only-fit-my-iPhone size; bought, I hasten to add, before they got pricey; The Big Fella in Hong Kong 15+ years ago whilst pregnant with The Firecracker (all I wanted to eat in Hong Kong was egg and tuna sandwiches of all things; why she didn’t come out with gills and clucking, I’ve no idea. Anyhoo …)]. Mulberry's Bayswater combined aspiration, practicality, and affordability during its peak. Since then Mulberry has seen a decline in sales and relevance, in an industry that has been booming until recently. Mulberry, which was founded in 1971 by Roger Saul and his mother, Joan (who was ousted from the business in 2002), said international sales had increased by 7.2% but UK retail sales had dropped by 3.2% in the year to the end of March. The share price, which has fallen by almost 60% so far this year, declined by a further 4.5% in early trading on Wednesday. In January, Mulberry blamed the slowdown in demand for luxury spending and a lack of VAT-free shopping for a 9% decline in sales over its “golden quarter”, which included the Christmas shopping period. Laura cites Mulberry’s recent strategic decisions, like price increases and lack of high-profile collaborations, which have not built any love with the consumer. Mulberry could perhaps rejuvenate its brand by seeking influencer partnerships, being more socially present and - they were already - investing in sustainable solutions ahead of the pack. A great British brand with a unique identity and offerings should regain its position in the lucrative luxury handbag market. (In the meantime, at least The Firecracker doesn’t want to borrow my Mulbs, and they are very lovely bags). https://lnkd.in/dRxgKrX8 #IBMRetail #IBMConsumer #FMCG #ConsumerGoods #Retail #RethinkRetail #RethinkRetailTopExpert IBM RETHINK Retail

🌵HELLMANN'S🌵 Hellmann's creates a luxury handbag and shows it at London Fashion Week! It is truly amazing what the famous mayonnaise brand has done. And all thanks to Ogilvy UK. To give you an idea, this initiative has a double objective: 🌞It pays homage to the history and heritage of the brand itself. 🌞It seeks to generate cultural relevance for Hellmann's, as well as connect with the new generation of consumers by appealing to their habits and behaviors. And why has this come about? Basically because of young people. In recent months there has been an increase in searches around the concept ‘dinner party’ and from there it has led to concepts about food, how to behave, food accessories.... The bag is named ‘Margaret’, after the Co-Founder of Hellmann's, Margaret Hellmann. It features a pocket to carry the brand's iconic mayonnaise jar, as well as another pocket with buckles to hold a spoon, Victorian style. In addition, the bag also features a charm inspired by the lid of the mayonnaise jar. The bag was shown at London Fashion Week and will be available as part of a limited edition. It will be available at the luxury Dover Street Market shop in London later this year. So if you are out there... you know! If you liked this content, follow me! I'm talking about campaigns that have gone viral worldwide #marketing #advertising #campaigns #londonfashionweek #fashionweek

Mulberry's recent decision to reject Frasers Group’s takeover bid has stirred significant conversation in the luxury fashion industry. This move, alongside broader market trends, raises crucial questions about brand heritage, the future of M&A activity in the luxury space, and the challenges facing smaller yet iconic brands. In my latest article, I delve into: 🔹 Mulberry’s financial background and M&A history 🔹 The strategic reasoning behind rejecting the takeover bid 🔹 How this fits into the larger global luxury M&A landscape 🔹 The evolving role of conglomerates and digital transformation in luxury fashion Check out the full analysis below and gain insights into how this development could shape the future of luxury fashion M&A. https://lnkd.in/eHg6ngSp #luxuryfashion #MergersAndAcquisitions #Mulberry #FrasersGroup #LuxuryMarket #FashionIndustry #BusinessStrategy #Investment

Leveraging Luxury Lifestyle Products: A Path to Brand Success In a market ripe for innovation, brands can capitalize on the growing demand for luxury lifestyle products such as elegant tea cups, coffee mugs, stylish plating, and accessories for men and women—including cufflinks, scarves, walking sticks, and exquisite jewelry. With relatively few players in this niche, there’s an incredible opportunity to establish a strong presence. Key Strategies for Building a Luxury Brand: Quality and Craftsmanship: Emphasize the superior quality and unique craftsmanship of your products. Brands like Hermès and Royal Doulton have thrived by positioning their products as not just functional items but as pieces of art. Storytelling: Create compelling narratives around your products. For instance, Tiffany & Co. effectively uses storytelling to evoke emotions tied to their jewelry, making each piece memorable. Strategic Pricing: Implement a pricing strategy that reflects the luxury status of your brand while ensuring perceived value. Brands like CHANEL utilize premium pricing to reinforce exclusivity and desirability. Limited Editions and Exclusivity: Offer limited edition items to create urgency and exclusivity, driving demand among discerning consumers. As we explore the potential of luxury lifestyle products, let’s discuss how your brand can stand out in this competitive landscape. Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below! #LuxuryBranding #LifestyleProducts #MarketStrategy #BrandSuccess #ConsumerEngagement

Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting Vanessa Mace, co-founder of Bessette Ltd, on the podcast. I wanted to share why I’m so excited about this business because I truly believe they’re onto something remarkable. They embody the idea that sometimes it’s not about reinventing the wheel but being in the right place at the right time. Here’s why I think this is the right moment for them to shine: 1.- 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬: Gone are the days when affordable fashion was just for lower-income families and luxury was reserved for the wealthy. Social media has made finding a great deal something to brag about, not hide. I believe clothing rental platforms have really helped change the conversation, so now we can proudly share our finds without any judgment. 2.- 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬: As I’ve often discussed, contemporary, quiet luxury brands are capturing market share from traditional luxury brands that relied heavily on logos. Brands stocked by Bessette are in high demand and rival luxury pieces in appeal. 3.- 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠: Today's contemporary brands, with access to top-tier factories like those used by heritage luxury brands, can command higher price tags compared to high street options. So, even if you're not selling a £3k Chanel jumper, offering a £900 Khaite sweater still makes sense in terms of value and financials. 🗣 Click here to listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/d8BmP9t6 👇 And watch below to learn more about the origins of Bessette. #IndustryVoices #Bessette #FashionInnovation #ContemporaryLuxury #ConsumerTrends

Wine and fashion are deeply personal, both reflecting individualism and style that’s unique to you. Just like the perfect outfit, the right wine can evoke emotion and make you feel extraordinary. In our latest article, we explore the defining style of six iconic fashion brands and the wines that perfectly match them, creating the ultimate pairing of luxury and taste. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/enk-7JRM 🥂 #WestgarthWines #LuxuryFashionBrands #LuxuryFashion #LuxuryWines #FineWines #LuxuryWineBrands #WineNews #WineBlog #WineLover #FashionLover

What do you get when you creatively combine the #champagne brand Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët, with the talents of CHANEL French embroidery Atelier Montex artists during Paris Fashion Week ... The most exquisite champagne bottle I have ever seen! This is a brilliant, attention-grabbing, collaboration example of #luxury leadership. In our Luxury Mindset research (details in the comments below) we share: Luxury is about experiences, not things. This collaboration featured in Luxury Daily can inspire you to design something to grab the attention of the clients you want to serve and creatively launch it in the world. How can you think more creatively about your 2024 collaborations? Where can you combine the brilliance of your brand with a complimentary offering to attract the luxury clients you want to serve? #BelleEpoque #ChampagneLover #LuxuryIsAMindset #LiveLuxe

I recently read Sarah Kent’s Business of Fashion article, which highlights a significant gap between the luxury brands' narratives of heritage and craftsmanship and the reality of unethical labour practices in their supply chains. This raises key questions for the future of luxury fashion, especially in a market where transparency and ethics matter more than ever to consumers. We wonder why consumer spending has changed and brands that were the go-to brands are now not. At Frame Perfect, we believe the solution lies in building stronger, more transparent partnerships between brands and their production teams. Prioritizing ethical sourcing, fair wages, and worker welfare is essential to maintaining both integrity and trust. Read Sarah’s story: “Inside Luxury’s Italian Sweatshops Problem" - https://lnkd.in/exYprXFg #EthicalFashion #Transparency #Sustainability #LuxuryFashion #Leadership

Luxury Insights: Why Does Louis Vuitton Burn Unsold Products? 🔥 In the world of luxury fashion, maintaining exclusivity is paramount. Recently, it came to light that Louis Vuitton, one of the most iconic luxury brands, burns its unsold products instead of discounting or donating them. But why? Key Reasons: 1. Preserving Exclusivity: Louis Vuitton aims to avoid diluting its brand's luxury status by ensuring that unsold items are not available at lower prices. 2. Financial Incentives: Under the "duty drawback" law in the U.S., companies can reclaim import duties on goods that are destroyed. This makes financial sense for high-duty items like luxury bags. While this practice ensures brand value, it has sparked debates about sustainability and waste. Some luxury brands are shifting towards more eco-friendly practices, focusing on recycling or donating unsold products. Discussion Points: - Brand Value vs. Sustainability: How should luxury brands balance maintaining exclusivity with sustainable practices? -Industry Trends: With companies like Burberry pledging to stop destroying unsold products, will we see a shift in industry standards? As a Business Development & Strategic Marketing Enthusiast, I find this topic fascinating. It highlights the delicate balance luxury brands must maintain between exclusivity and ethical responsibility. What are your thoughts on this practice? Can luxury brands find a sustainable way to preserve their exclusivity? 💭 #LuxuryFashion #BrandStrategy #Sustainability #MarketingInsights #LouisVuitton

In the regular flow of our daily lives, we’ve all had that simple sandwich bag – you know, the one we use for lunch or bring home some leftovers from a restaurant (also known as the doggie bag). It’s so common that we don’t pay much attention when we see someone on the street or at home with it. But here’s where brands can work their magic. They can take something ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary. Take Louis Vuitton, for instance. They recently launched a sandwich bag designed by Pharrell Williams. What used to be an “ordinary” item is now a trendy fashion accessory, complete with the signature color of the brand’s famed (paper) shopping bags and other core elements like the blue ribbon. And the price tag? $3000 USD instead of the paper bag you took your LV shopping home. Of course, this isn’t something meant for everyone. It was launched at carefully chosen pop-up stores and selected @louisvuitton stores in key countries. That’s how luxury brands wield their power – turning everyday things into high-fashion accessories that stand out. Louis Vuitton, once again, shows us that in their hands, the ordinary becomes truly extraordinary. Im sure Cesar Val a good friend and a luxury expert (top in the world), has better insights and thoughts on this. #marketing #luxury #fashion #branding