How brands can leverage a new era of luxury in Asia
Dec 10, 2024
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Rica Facundo hosts Sonja Prokopec, Associate Dean at ESSEC Business School and luxury market expert, alongside Zoe Chen, Strategy Director at VIRTUE Worldwide. They dive into the rapidly evolving luxury scene in Asia, exploring how younger consumers are redefining what luxury means. The conversation highlights India’s emerging luxury market, the rise of local brands, and the shift towards sustainable practices. They also discuss the delicate balance between exclusivity and accessibility, showcasing how cultural heritage plays a pivotal role in shaping modern luxury.
Younger consumers in Asia prioritize unique experiences and cultural narratives over traditional materialism, reshaping luxury consumption patterns.
Southeast Asia emerges as a significant luxury market, driven by millennials and Gen Z redefining luxury in a culturally confident manner.
Deep dives
The Rising Luxury Market in India
India is experiencing a notable growth in luxury goods, particularly as younger consumers embrace this trend with a shift in values. While the market has taken time to mature, recent changes now highlight an entrepreneurial class and increasing affluence that is contributing to its dynamism. The cultural shift is evident, as younger consumers are less price-sensitive and more focused on experiences associated with luxury, showcasing an openness that contrasts with previous generations. This presents a considerable opportunity for brands looking to engage with this expanding market and suggests that India is approaching a significant inflection point in luxury consumption.
Southeast Asia's Diverse Luxury Landscape
Southeast Asia is becoming a prominent player in the luxury market, with evolving cultural forces shaping consumer behaviors across the region. Countries like Singapore and Thailand are emerging as key hubs due to their affluent populations and vibrant pop culture. The younger generation, particularly millennials and Gen Zs, see themselves as global tastemakers rather than passive consumers, actively shaping their own notions of luxury. This evolution in consumer identity underscores the region's increasing cultural confidence and its potential to redefine luxury on its own terms.
Cultural Reinterpretation of Luxury
There is a significant trend of younger consumers in Asia seeking to reinterpret and reinvent cultural heritage as part of their luxury experience, rather than merely preserving it. This shift is leading to a more modern interpretation of traditional craftsmanship, with examples like Indonesia's Toton, which merges traditional textile techniques with contemporary design. Consumers are looking for unique expressions of luxury that resonate with their identity, valuing local artisanship and the stories behind the products they purchase. This dynamic encourages brands to innovate and collaborate more deeply with local craftspeople to connect authentically with consumers.
Changing Values in Luxury Consumption
A crucial shift in the luxury market is the transition from materialism to values like wellness and knowledge as key markers of status. Younger consumers are prioritizing experiences and the stories behind luxury goods over mere ownership, redefining what it means to signal wealth. This evolution is reflected in the rise of the pre-loved and second-hand market in Asia, as consumers value uniqueness and narrative over brand prestige. For brands, adapting to these changing values and focusing on quality and cultural relevance will be essential for capturing the attention of this new wave of luxury consumers.
WARC's Rica Facundo talks to Prof Sonja Prokopec, Associate Dean for Essec Asia-Pacific at ESSEC Business School, and Zoe Chen, Strategy Director at VIRTUE Worldwide. Discussing the changing codes of Asian affluence.
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