Showing posts with label Louis Vuitton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Louis Vuitton. Show all posts

Monday, January 18, 2021

China’s consumers following global anti-fur movement – Shaun Rein

 

Shaun Rein

The fur trade focuses on China, as consumers in the rest of the world shun their products, convinced by the animal-rights movement. But China’s consumers are likely to follow, says Shanghai-based business analyst Shaun Rein, and they are likely to heed the anti-fur trend, he tells Vogue Business.

Vogue Business:

For those luxury brands that are continuing to use fur, the focus is on China, the country most important to the $22 billion worldwide fur trade. A survey of 400 high-income Chinese residents, predominantly Vogue and GQ readers, by Vogue Business and market research group Dynata, shows that demand for fur in China is likely to remain robust for now — but there are some signs of disquiet among a minority of fur buyers.

Just under two-thirds of respondents say they believe that fur is an appropriate material to use for clothing versus 24 per cent that think it is not. Of the group that say fur is an inappropriate material, 62 per cent say they have changed their mind in the last year — and just under half have previously purchased fur products. Objections are not necessarily based on ethical considerations, but also embrace factors such as taste and practicality.

Younger consumers appear to be leading the shift in attitude. “I think that in the Western world there’s a feeling that China is backward [on environmental issues] and that might have been true 20 years ago, maybe even 10 years ago, but right now the younger consumers are really into morality,” says Shaun Rein, founder and managing director of the China Market Research Group, which works with luxury clients including Richemont. Rein says that animal welfare is a growing concern among Chinese consumers. However, fur has been a lower priority target than shark fin or ivory…

The continued support for fur by brands like Louis Vuitton remains important to the fur industry and its image to Chinese buyers, even if sales by luxury brands account for a small share of the overall retail trade in fur. Rein says he is doubtful that luxury consumers in China would care much whether they are buying real or faux fur, as long as the product is from a name they trust. “They care more about the luxury brand than they do about the actual ingredients,” he says.

More in Vogue Business.

Shaun Rein is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your (online) meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers’ request form.

Are you looking for more experts on risk management at the China Speakers Bureau? Do check out this list.


Monday, September 24, 2018

The trouble of being a celebrity in China - Shaun Rein

Shaun Rein
The disappearance of famous movie star Fan Bingbing now three months ago has kept many guessing for the reasons behind it. Being a celebrity in China has some extra risks, explains business analyst Shaun Rein, author of The War for China's Wallet: Profiting from the New World Order, for AP.  "There's a greater risk for celebrities to get in trouble with the law and never be able to get a chance at redemption."

AP:
Though China has become the world's second-largest film market, authorities keep tight control on local productions, exercising final say over choice of cast, director and script. If Fan had stepped on official toes, it would be a simple task to retaliate by destroying her career, with Chinese authorities wielding broad powers to detain, interrogate and accuse citizens out of the public eye. 
Other celebrities have run afoul of authorities over drug use, excessive pay or tax issues, said Shaun Rein, managing director of China Market Research Group based in Shanghai. 
"Then the government really cracks down hard and pretty much destroys their careers for several years if not forever," Rein said. Companies that bet big on a-list Chinese celebrities incur a "huge political risk," he said. 
Known as a classical Chinese beauty with almond eyes and porcelain skin, Fan, 36, usually maintains a prominent presence on Weibo, where she has more than 62 million followers. Her account has been largely dormant for weeks, however, with a July 26 "like" about a posting on her charitable foundation being the last activity prior to the deletion of her birthday notice. Photos on social media also appear to show her visiting a pediatric cardiac ward at a Shanghai hospital for a charity event on July 1. 
The strongest clue to Fan's status may have been a Sept. 6 notice posted on the website of the Securities Daily, a newspaper published by the official Economic Daily. It stated that the local tax bureau had sent a notice to Fan's studio that she had been "placed under control" — a legal term for being held under investigation. The article was later deleted from the website. 
Fan's disappearance has already taken a toll on her lucrative sideline as brand ambassador, throwing those companies' plans into disarray. Australian vitamin brand Swisse issued a statement saying it was suspending use of her image and "continuing to monitor the situation and hope that it is resolved in the near future." 
British diamond giant De Beers, who signed with Fang just last year, appears to have already moved on: Another actress, Gao Yuanyuan, represented the company at a store opening last month in the ancient capital of Xi'an. Other firms she endorsed, from duty-free chain King Power to Louis Vuitton and Montblanc are also taking action.  
"There's a lot more risk for celebrities in China than in the United States, because the government takes much more of a moral crackdown," said China Market Research's Rein. 
"So there's a greater risk for celebrities to get in trouble with the law and never be able to get a chance at redemption."
More in AP.

Shaun Rein is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

Are you looking for more stories by Shaun Rein? Do check out this list.

Thursday, June 04, 2015

Chinese move away from luxury commodities – Shaun Rein

Shaun Rein
Shaun Rein
Gone are the days when China´s rich moved to the same Gucci stores to purchase the same bling bags. For travel organizers these trends to individual choices creates a group of very demanding, but also very lucrative customers, says business analyst Shaun Rein in TTGAsia.

TTGAsia:
“(The Chinese) are spending more on experiences and are looking to travel to new and more exotic destinations,” he observed. “Destinations like Antarctica, South Africa and Canada are hot as they allow consumers to get back to nature and share those experiences on WeChat.” But while the Chinese are now widening the scope of activities on their vacations, the high spending powers still makes this group a very attractive one to tourism stakeholders. Rein commented that the Chinese are now moving from buying luxury products that can be bought by anyone else, to buying brands that show their individualism and creativity. 
“Over the past five years, the Chinese consumer...rushed to buy Louis Vuitton and other luxury items to show status that they belonged to the elite group,” he said. 
“This is changing... Bling is out, experiences are in, especially in international travel, but the spending is still there.”
More in TTGAsia.

Shaun Rein is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers´ request form.
Are you interested in more experts on China´s rich at the China Speakers Bureau? Do check out this list.

Monday, June 02, 2014

Fighting for the Chinese consumer: the tax free threshold

Nederlands: Bijenkorf, het originele bestand s...
Nederlands: Bijenkorf, (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
De Bijenkorf, one of the larger Dutch shopping malls, is trying to refocus its retail strategy on the international consumer, including the Chinese. Some of its stores in second-tier cities will be closed or sold off to Primark. We visited their store in The Hague and saw they made some progress, especially when it comes to tax free refunds, although it is still lagging on other points.
Most obvious missing from the current stores are some major brands, including Louis Vuitton,  PradaGucci and Pinko, to mention a few. Without a fair selection of those brands, all the rest might be in place, but what does it matter if you do not sell.
What works out well, is the free Wifi connection at the Bijenkorf, a must for Chinese customers since they have to consult with their friends back home real time before they can purchase good for themselves or their friends. (I mentioned this before here.)
What was a bit of a positive surprise was their tax free policy threshold. In most stores we visited non-EU citizens can get a refund of the VAT - a major draw for Chinese customers since they suffer back home from high taxes on luxury goods. Mostly you can only get your money back (that is how Chinese customers talk about tax refunds) if you spend at least a few hundred euro, sometimes even three hundred before the tax refund kicks in. Refunds only work in one store, so if you visit a store of the same brand, earlier purchases mostly can not be consolidated.
That might not be a problem if you sell expensive watches or diamonds, but when you core business is fashion, purchasing enough for a tax refund is hard. De Bijenkorf realized that and lowered their threshold to €50 euro. And the advantage was measured out loudly, even by Chinese announcement over their in-store speaker´ system.
It might be a trade off for the retailers. If consumers have to buy up to €300 worth of goods in your stores to get their fund, you might sell a bit more on items those visitors did not intend to buy. But if you offer your visitors a lower threshold, they might be more eager to come to you stores, especially if the neighbors maintain higher thresholds.
Getting some brands those Chinese visitors would actually want to buy, does help De Bijenkorf even more.
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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Logo fatigue in China - Shaun Rein

Shaun Rein
Shaun Rein
Famous brands are losing their star status in China, as preferences of consumers shift, tells retail analyst Shaun Rein at Adage, in its 2014 of changing consumer trends in China.

Adage:
"Logo fatigue" has set in among China's consumers. Two brands known for insignias on their products, Louis Vuitton and Gucci, are "moving away from logos and trying to be more discreet in their designs," said Shaun Rein, founder of Shanghai-based China Market Research Group. 
"The problem is both of those brands still have a lot of people toting bags with those logos on them," he said. "The peasant who bought an LV bag three years ago is still going to be toting it for the next eight years." 
Mr. Rein cites Burberry, Coach, Miu Miu and Tiffany as strong performers in China. Brands have had success targeting "younger women, who are the most optimistic consumers right now," he said.
More in Adage.

Shaun Rein is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers´request form. 

Are you a media representative and would you get into touch with one of our speakers? Do drop us a line.
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Friday, January 17, 2014

Sales luxury goods expected to drop further - Rupert Hoogewerf

Rupert Hoogewerf
Rupert Hoogewerf
Sales of luxury goods dropped in 2013, the third year of decline, and is expected to drop even further in 2014, according to a new Hurun report. "In terms of traditional luxury - leathers, accessories, watches - this year is going to be flat if not a little bit down," Hurun founder Rupert Hoogewerf tells Reuters. 

Reuters:
"In terms of traditional luxury - leathers, accessories, watches - this year is going to be flat if not a little bit down," Hurun Report founder and chief researcher Rupert Hoogewerf told Reuters. 
"For luxuries like tea, healthcare, even education, we are still looking at a booming market." 
The crackdown on conspicuous spending, which began in 2012, is part of a vow made by Chinese President Xi Jinping to be tougher on graft. He has focused in particular on gifts made to government officials often in exchange for preferential treatment or contracts. 
As a result, many wealthy Chinese now buy luxury goods for themselves, rather than as gifts, Hoogewerf said. 
Products by Hermes, Chanel, LVMH's Louis Vuitton brand, Apple Inc and Gucci remained among the most sought-after brands for gifting, the survey showed. 
Less popular were Bulgari - another LVMH brand - Salvatore Ferragamo, Tiffany and Co and the fiery baijiu liquor made by Chinese firm Kweichow Moutai Co Ltd, once the top tipple of Communist Party officials. 
Affluent Chinese often shop online for the best price globally. They have also become more confident about their fashion choices, mixing high-street clothing and accessories with branded goods 
"There is a much savvier consumer out there," Hoogewerf said. "There will be more purchasing done overseas than in China. For a brand that's global it's fine."
More in Reuters.

Rupert Hoogewerf is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers´request form.
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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

China's consumption is booming - Shaun Rein

ShaunRein2
Shaun Rein
Business analyst Shaun Rein appeared on the "On China" show of CNN's Kristie Lu Stout, discussing China's growing consumption, Barbie and how even in a downturn China's wealthy will become wealthier. 

CNN:
One area where Western brands have some headway against their domestic Chinese competitors is product safety, in the wake of scandals over tainted baby formulafake eggs and exploding watermelons
Shaun Rein said his company, China Market Research Group, interviewed 5,000 Chinese consumers in 15 cities last year. "Their biggest concern in life, ahead of being able to pay education for their kids, or for medical care cost for their families, was food and product safety," Rein said. " 
They're absolutely petrified of biting something and dying, or getting toxic shock syndrome from a toy. So what we've found is in these 5,000 consumers they trust foreign brands far more than they trust local domestic Chinese brands," Rein said. 
A dichotomy is growing in Chinese consumer trends between shopping for status and shopping for value. 
"What that means is, people don't buy mid-level brands, which is why you see (brands?) like Marks & Spencer, or Li-Ning, or Gap kind of struggle, because these are branded for middle-class consumers," Rein said. "What we see is people either shop for the most expensive things they can get, like a Louis Vuitton or Hermes bag, or they go for the cheapest."
More on CNN.

Shaun Rein is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.


 This week, on November 22, the China Weekly Hangout is about the future of nuclear power in China. You can register at our event page here. (Two weeks earlier we missed the change in daylight saving time in the US and had to cancel.) First part will focus on the resumption of building nuclear power stations, the second part of the chances NIMBY protests can derail this ambitious program. Planned participants: Richard Brubaker and Chris Brown.

You can access all editions here.
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Why Louis Vuitton cannot afford to be too popular - Shaun Rein

Boutique Louis Vuitton - Champs-Élysées - Paris
Louis Vuitton in Paris
Being popular in China seems attractive to many luxury products, but - argues retail analyst Shain Rein in CNBC - Louis Vuitton is becoming so popular, it might wipe away its attraction as a luxury asset. What should Louis Vuitton do?

Shaun Rein:
My firm conducted interviews with several dozen mega wealthy with investible assets of more than $10 million. The majority told us they no longer wanted to buy Louis Vuitton. As a woman in Beijing, who is worth billions, said, "Louis Vuitton has become too ordinary. Everyone has it. You see it in every restaurant in Beijing. I prefer Chanel or Bottega Veneta now. They are more exclusive." 
Soaring wealth and obsession with luxury products provides huge opportunities for luxury retailers. The number of Chinese millionaires are estimated to more than double in the next five years. The Hurun Report estimates there are 271 billionaires, up from 189 in 2010. That growth is also causing challenges for Louis Vuitton and other historically dominant players like Zegna and Omega to maintain market share because the truly wealthy no longer want to buy the same fashion brands everyone else has... 
To stave off competition from very exclusive brands, and premium brands like Coach, Louis Vuitton is going to have to spend more on marketing to maintain its exclusivity. So far it has kept ahead of the curve, launching multi-story flagship stores in key shopping areas and marketing initiatives in conjunction with the Beijing National Museum. 
Celebrity endorsers like Angelina Jolie also help add luster. These initiatives are key to maintaining status but will become increasingly costly, squeezing margins, as rent and labor costs go up. 
Louis Vuitton’s parent group, LVMH, should consider more acquisitions at the higher end to capture wealthy consumers tiring of its flagship brand. It has bought stakes in Hermes but should try buying high-end brands outright to capture the truly wealthy segment.
ShaunReinportrait
Shaun Rein
More in CNBC


Shaun Rein is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.

More links to Shaun Rein's activities in storify.
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Friday, June 24, 2011

Buying Prada suits, not shares - Shaun Rein

Shaun Rein
Prada is not doing as well as Gucci and Louis Vuitton in branding themselves in China, and Shaun Rein tells at CNBC why he would buy their suits, but not their shares. China might be skipping import taxes on luxury goods for stimulate sales, so having a decent retail operation in China is crucial.

Also: Shaun Rein expects China to become a world financial center faster than most think, with the Renminbi as a reserve currency.

More at CNBC

Shaun Rein is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch.

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Friday, January 14, 2011

How many Armani shops does Shanghai need?

Another building site
There is no doubt the market for luxury products is growing fast in China. A recent Hurun report documented just that. China counts almost a million millionaires, who seem to be willing to spend part of their capital on consumer goods. But luxury goods for the very rich are just a limited part of a very special market.
For the luxury market a lower segment of the consumers - some might call it the middle class - are needed to draw their wallets and let that industry run.
Early in my latest Shanghai trip I wondered already how all those new luxury stores in Huaihai Zhonglu would draw enough customers to make a living. Later I would be running into the International Finance Center(IFC) in Pudong, and next door the Super Brand Mall (that had forgotten about its troublesome start) and was now swamped with potential buyers.
And it did not stop there: I could not turn a corner or yet another shopping mall with new stores for Armani, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel, Cartier, Gucci were under construction. Obvious, every district in Shanghai - where most real estate related matters are decided - thought it needed a shopping mall like their neighbors.
For any count, Shanghai seems to be heading for a glut in the luxury market, and the situation might even be worse when the analysis of economists like Huang Yasheng are correct. Most of Shanghai's GDP is spent by the government, more than on wages for the Shanghainese who are expected to purchase those Gucci bags.
In the past I have been wrong more often, for example when the first waves of giant 5-star hotels moved into Shanghai. Initially, we could not imagine those hotel chains would survive. They did and perhaps only after the WorldExpo, there might be a bit of an overcapacity for 5-star hotels. But I still keep on wondering: how many Armani stores does Shanghai need?
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