Skip to main content
BoF Logo

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Bain, Altagamma Forecast Rapid Luxury Rebound

A long lines of customers outside the Gucci story on Chengdu International Finance Square, an internationally recognised urban complex in the Western Chinese city of Chengdu
A long lines of customers outside the Gucci story on Chengdu International Finance Square. Getty Images. (Barcroft Media)

Luxury sales could return to 2019 levels as soon as this year after contracting for the first time in more than a decade in 2020, consultancy Bain and Italian luxury industry association Altagamma said in their closely watched industry forecast published Monday.

While the outlook for this year remains uncertain, in a bullish scenario, a surprisingly exuberant recovery in the first quarter is sustained. That could help the market reach, and even exceed, 2019 levels with a valuation of between €280 to €295 billion ($340 billion to $358 billion), the report said.

More likely though, the strong momentum at the start of this year will be tempered by limited travel and slower domestic luxury purchases, postponing a full recovery until next year, it added. That leaves the luxury market with a value of between €250 to €265 billion in 2021, according to the report’s projections.

The report identified a number of key trends driving the market: China’s appetite for luxury remains “insatiable,” but there are signs of recovery across all consumer nationalities; the US in particular seems poised for a “roaring ’20s” that could reshape the luxury landscape. Meanwhile Europe is lagging other markets.

Online sales also remain robust, with Bain estimating more than 85 percent of luxury purchases were digitally influenced this year. And there are opportunities in new markets, too. The luxury second-hand market grew to €28 billion last year from €26 billion in 2019, according to Bain.

© 2024 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Luxury
Provide insight and analysis on fashion’s most powerful luxury brands.

Can Celine Work Without Hedi Slimane?

After growing the brand’s annual sales to nearly €2.5 billion, the star designer has been locked in a thorny contract negotiation with owner LVMH that could lead to his exit, sources say. BoF breaks down what Slimane brought to Celine and what his departure could mean.


Fashion Goes Big at Salone, But Design Still Rules

Fashion brands are edging in on the world’s largest gathering of design professionals and their wealthy clients, but design companies still dominate the sector, which is ripe for further consolidation, reports Imran Amed.


view more

Subscribe to the BoF Daily Digest

The essential daily round-up of fashion news, analysis, and breaking news alerts.

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
CONNECT WITH US ON
The Business of Beauty Global Awards - Deadline 30 April 2024
© 2024 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy and Accessibility Statement.
The Business of Beauty Global Awards - Deadline 30 April 2024