Covid has fundamentally changed the way luxury shoppers behave according to the latest consumer research from Swiss research agency , m1nd-set.
According to the research, luxury, brands retailers and travel and tourism operators have responded to the seismic shift in consumer mindset, to adapt their product and service offering to the new consumer mindset, which is increasingly more socially and environmentally conscious since the pandemic. Companies across all sectors and categories in luxury retail are fundamentally changing the way they source, manufacture and package product or reposition their products and services. The research, which explores how these changes are impacting the luxury retail sector today and how travel retail will need to adapt to stay in line with consumer expectations. The latest consumer trends and luxury shopping behaviour in travel retail are also a focal point of the research, in particular how post-pandemic luxury goods shoppers have changed their behaviour when travelling and shopping.
The research also highlights the shift towards conscientious consumption among Chinese consumers. According to m1nd-set, the Chinese consumer is particularly sensitive to conscious consumption as opposed to conspicuous consumption. One of the key trends highlighted in the report is the focus on experiential luxury since the pandemic. There is a growing demand among some luxury consumer segments for luxury travel experiences over luxury products, the research reveals. Luxury consumers are seeking less ostentation and more emotional and spiritual experiences, which is leading to a marked growth in the luxury health and wellness travel sector. Respect towards the environment and immersion in nature are also important aspects of these travel sustainable luxury experiences.
Citing examples across some of the core categories including Beauty, Fashion & Accessories, Confectionery Wines & Spirits and even Watches & Jewellery, the research illustrates how major brands from all sectors are responding to the consumer call for greater responsibility and accountability. In luxury fashion, the emergence of recycled materials by some luxury fashion houses as well as an end to using animal fur, adopting vegan leather and recycled nylon, are just some examples of recent developments among luxury fashion groups to meet the expectations of the more mindful post-pandemic luxury shopper.
On travel retail shopper behaviour among luxury shoppers specifically, the research reveals the preferred categories among luxury shoppers and how their shopping behaviour in duty free has evolved since before the pandemic as well as in comparison to non-luxury shoppers. According to m1nd-set, luxury shoppers are particularly more interested than they were before the pandemic in finding different products from their usual luxury purchases and more sustainable packaging. 25% of luxury shoppers said they place importance on purchasing something different compared to 18% on average in the years from 2017 to 2020, and compared to 21% of non-luxury shoppers. 20% said they were more conscious about the product packaging in 2021 compared to only 11% on average in the years from 2017 to 2020, and compared to 17% of non-luxury shoppers.
Luxury shoppers are also significantly more likely than non-luxury shoppers to purchase at least one unique duty free exclusive product and more likely than they did before the pandemic too. 80% of luxury shoppers said they would purchase a duty free exclusive, up 28% on the 4-year average between 2017 and 2020 and 8% higher than among non-luxury shoppers. The interaction with, and impact of, sales staff on the purchase behaviour also reveals significant changes, particularly concerning the influence that sales staff are having on the product selection of luxury shoppers since the pandemic.
Head of Business Development at m1nd-set, Anna Marchesini, commented on the research findings: “In all the years we have been studying shopper behaviour at m1nd-set, and looking back at previous decades before that, there has not been any occurrence which has had as much of a game-changing impact on the way shoppers behave. Luxury consumers have abandoned their quest for extravagance.”
“Given the shift towards more responsible consumption, Marchesini continued “and the shopping behaviour of luxury shoppers in travel retail, where we see consumers looking for more information on the products and services prior to purchasing, we believe there is a huge opportunity for brands. The most forward-thinking luxury brands in retail and in travel retail will seize this opportunity to educate consumers about the unique history and sustainable attributes of their products or services. The world has changed and sustainability is no longer a choice, but a requirement” Marchesini concluded.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
