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Middle East a growth potential for global luxury goods sector

22 August, 2016 – The global luxury goods sector is expected to grow more slowly in 2016, at a rate many retailers may find disappointing, according to Deloitte’s annual report entitled “Global Powers of Luxury Goods 2016 Disciplined innovation.” The growth rate is slowing in important markets such as China and Russia, although some markets continue to perform well and there are pockets of opportunity across the globe. India and Mexico for example are growing quickly, and the Middle East offers further growth potential.

The report examines and lists the 100 largest luxury goods companies globally, based on the consolidated sales of luxury goods in financial year 2014 (which we define as financial years ending within the 12 months to 30 June 2015). It also provides an outlook on the global economy; an analysis of merger and acquisition activity in the industry and discusses the key forces shaping the luxury market.

“The Middle East represents a big opportunity for luxury brands. Luxury malls in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have helped put these cities on the map for the industry, and the United Arab Emirates as a whole continue to enjoy strong growth,” said Herve Ballantyne, partner and consumer and industrial products leader at Deloitte in the Middle East. “Well-established big-name brands perform well in the region, and tourism is a major driver of sales in Dubai. Although the region is likely to feel the impact of political unrest as well as global economic uncertainty, but further growth is expected overall.”

"As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its oil-based economy, retail is a sector that is likely to benefit given the expected growth in religious tourists over the next decade and ongoing private sector planned investments such as the recent announcement that the Majid Al Futtaim group will be adding approximately 112,000 sqm of retail space in Riyadh,” he added.

The world’s 100 largest luxury goods companies generated sales of $222 billion in financial year 2014, 3.6 percent higher year-on-year. The average luxury goods annual sales for a Top 100 company is now $2.2 billion.

“There is a shift in the luxury path-to-purchase,” said Ira Kalish, Chief Economist for Deloitte Global. “Empowered by social networks and digital devices, luxury goods consumers are dictating increasingly when, where and how they engage with luxury brands. They have become both critics and creators, demanding a more personalized luxury experience, and expect to be given the opportunity to shape the products and services they consume.”

Key findings from the report include:

  • Discipline by design: luxury’s new normal – The luxury goods sector has now passed the mid-point of the ‘decade of change.’ The first half was characterized by the Chinese consumer and the explosion in the use of digital technology. The second half of the decade is expected to be characterized by discipline. The external environment is likely to change in a number of crucial areas: an evolution in consumer buying behaviors; the merging of channels and business model complexity; an increase in international travel; the growing importance of the millennial consumer; and the continued impact of the global economy. All of these factors create opportunities for the luxury goods sector.
  • Demand for luxury goods still growing profitably – Sales for the world's 100 largest luxury goods companies continued to grow despite economic challenges, although the rate of growth was less than in previous years. Profit margins were higher than the previous year and the polarization of company performance was greater, with more high performers achieving double-digit luxury goods sales growth and profit margins, and also more companies experiencing double-digit sales decline.
  • Italy is once again the leading luxury goods country in terms of number of companies – With 29 companies in the Top 100 it has more than double the number based in the US, which has the second-largest number. However, Italian companies account for only 17 percent of luxury goods sales in the Top 100 – these predominantly family-owned Italian companies are much smaller, with average luxury goods size of $1.3 billion, compared to $3.1 billion for US companies.

Full details about the Global Powers of Luxury Goods are available here

Press contact
Nadine El Hassan
Middle East Public Relations Leader
Deloitte & Touche (M.E.)
Tel: +961 (0) 1 748444
Fax: +961 (0) 1 748999

 

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About the Global Powers of Luxury Goods report

The Global Powers of Luxury Goods report identifies the world’s top 100 largest luxury goods companies based on publicly available data and analyzes them from multiple perspectives. It also examines industry trends, M&A activity, and global economic conditions. Full details about the Global Powers of Luxury Goods are available here.

About Deloitte:

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a more detailed description of DTTL and its member firms.  

Deloitte provides audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management, tax and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. With a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories, Deloitte brings world-class capabilities and high-quality service to clients, delivering the insights they need to address their most complex business challenges. Deloitte’s more than 220,000 professionals are committed to making an impact that matters.

 

About Deloitte & Touche (M.E.):

Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) is a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL) and is a leading professional services firm established in the Middle East region with uninterrupted presence since 1926.

Deloitte provides audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services through 26 offices in 15 countries with more than 3,300 partners, directors and staff. It is a Tier 1 Tax advisor in the GCC region since 2010 (according to the International Tax Review World Tax Rankings). It has also received numerous awards in the last few years which include best employer in the Middle East, best consulting firm, the Middle East Training & Development Excellence Award by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), as well as the best CSR integrated organization.

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