China Herald: Apple takes top spot as luxury gift

Rupert Hoogewerf

US tech giant Apple has taken over the number one position as most popular gift from designer good maker Hermes, according the the newest Hurun luxury report. Travel is the main driving force, says Hurun founder Rupert Hoogewerf as Chinese buy 7 out of 10 luxury products overseas, according to Reuters.

Reuters:

Apple Inc has taken the number one luxury gifting spot in China from designer goods maker Hermes International SCA, according to a Hurun luxury report on Thursday, reflecting the iPhone maker's recent hot streak in the country. The U.S. tech firm's focus on glitzy stores and high prices helped it post a 70 percent rise in sales in China in the last three months of 2014 and powered the company to the largest profit in corporate history.

Spending on gift-giving overall dropped 5 percent in 2014, after a 25 percent drop the year before, according to the Hurun Chinese Luxury Consumer Survey. Beijing has been cracking down on corruption and luxury spending among public officials, weighing down sales of premium liquor to handbags.

Domestic luxury spending in China dipped for the first time last year, according to consultancy Bain & Co, with increasing numbers of shoppers looking to spend money overseas.

"Travel retail continues to change the dynamics of luxury in China, with 7 out of 10 luxury goods bought by Chinese now being bought overseas," said Hurun Report Chairman Rupert Hoogewerf.

More at Reuters.

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