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Panels Panel #1: Bring Fashion to the Masses As the fashion industry continues to evolve and consumers become more trend-savvy, the popularity of cheap-chic brands has taken a life of its own. An increasing number of retailers not only offer fashion trends at affordable prices, but also continue to introduce innovative ways for consumers to access trends. Hence, being fashionable has become an obtainable aspiration. This panel will examine how retailers stay on top of and react quickly to trends in an increasingly competitive market, be it by partnering with a top designer or effectively managing their supply chain cycle and channels. The panel will also explore challenges and tradeoffs in providing fashion forward product at low prices. Finally, we will discuss the overall industry impact from fashion being widely accessible at an increasing rate.
Panel #2: From New York to Bangkok: Retail &
Luxury Brands in a Global Context As we journey into a world without borders, retail and luxury firms continually face the question of whether to go global. From strong domestic brands such as J.Crew to the international appeal of Gucci and Balenciaga, the simultaneous opportunity and pressure for expansion have led many firms to update their corporate strategies in order to be successful within the fast-paced retail and luxury sectors.
This panel explores the evolution of and changes in brand management and corporate strategy in the face of increasing globalization. What crucial elements in strategy and execution lead to successful global businesses? What are examples and challenges of brands currently expanding internationally? The panel will address factors that build the case for expansion, business models for going global, and implications on firms’ internal culture.
Panel #3: VC/PE: Evolution of Growth Platforms
in Retail & Luxury Brands The world of luxury goods has evolved significantly over the last few decades. The industry has not only experienced consolidation from the likes of LVMH and Estee Lauder, but also there has been a sharp increase in the number of private equity firms looking to get a piece of this prestige pie. As evidenced from Permira's acquisition of Valentino, and Lion Capital's sale of Jimmy Choo to TowerBrook Capital. Even the recent credit crunch has failed to put the squeeze on private equity's interest in luxury goods. This panel will explore the evolution of the growth platforms in luxury goods, from grass roots organic expansion, the rise of conglomerates, the increased interest from private equity investors to financing for new age designers. How will this evolution continue? Will there be a predominant growth platform? Key discussion topics include new entrant strategies to yield competitive brands, turning around a brand, creating a brand.
Panel #4: From Accessible to Ultra-Premium: What
defines luxury brands? Luxury rests on aspiration, a perception by consumers as exclusive. In the recent past, as incomes and brand recognition across the globe have grown, luxury brands have wrestled with how to approach the growing potential market. Middle-high market brands have emerged to take advantage of this rapidly growing segment and its appetite for consumption. As these brands have diffused up into higher price points, many luxury brands have responded by raising their own prices and shifting even further up-market. Other brands have attempted to split the "luxury" segment into two or more price-points and brand ranges, all within house. This panel will explore how both the ultra-premium and the accessible luxury trends have caused an enlargement in the breadth of products now deemed "luxury". The boundary and definition of what constitutes a luxury product have thus been blurred. We hope to will explore the question of what defines luxury today?
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