Global luxury market surpasses trillion-dollar mark

Hannah Connorton

Milan, Italy – The global luxury industry has surpassed $1 trillion in retail sales value this year, with the category that includes jewelry and watches seeing slight but positive real growth.

According to Bain & Company’s Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Monitor report released last week, the $1.120 trillion spent in luxury markets around the globe is a 5 percent year-over-year increase at constant exchange rates.

Spending in the personal luxury goods category–the category that includes jewelry and watches—has reached $253 billion, a 13 percent increase overall but only a 1 to 2 percent improvement at constant exchange rates.

In the report, Bain & Company identified three macro-economic events that hampered growth potential for the global luxury industry this year: the strength of the U.S. dollar, dissuading tourists from visiting the United States and driving Americans to buy their goods in Europe; the Chinese stock crisis impacting consumer confidence in the U.S.; and oil’s price drop reducing the wealth of most exposed economies and its key luxury consumers.

Around the world

In 2015, the strength of the U.S. dollar has continued to weaken luxury consumption in the Americas.

Department stores have suffered because of a slowdown in spending by both tourists and locals and played on promotions to bring in consumers. The off-price channel has become a top performer, with organized trips driving tourists to premium outlet centers and local shoppers looking for bargains while buying online, the report stated.

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Canada also has witnessed improved luxury goods sales, as there has been decreased competition from the U.S. due to the strength of the dollar.

When it comes to cities, the report showed that the top luxury goods market in the world are New York, followed by Tokyo, Beijing, Milan, and Paris.

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“When it comes to cities, the report showed that the top luxury goods market in the world are New York, followed by Tokyo, Beijing, Milan, and Paris.”

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Source National Jeweler