Reasons Why Most Luxury Brands Fail In India (2024)

Asia’s third-largest economy, growing at a rate of 7% and home to over 200 millionaires, India is one of the toughest luxury markets in India.

Brands like Tiffany & Co, Victoria secret have no boutiques in India. The French luxury brand Cartier has only one jewellery boutique in India.

Reasons Why Most Luxury Brands Fail In India (1)

Most luxury brands have much more stores in China than in India. For example, Louise Vuitton has 35 stores in China but only three stores in India. If you see the market, some of the top selling items are watches, automobile, fashion accessories, beauty/personal care products, handbags, shoes and apparel.

Value-conscious mentality

Reasons Why Most Luxury Brands Fail In India (2)

Being a distinctive and multifaceted market having diversities of cultures, customs, and history, Indian consumers are very different from consumers in China or the West. Indians culturally are value conscious and always look for a good bargain. People always seek value and search for information regarding at what price they can get brands internationally.

Luxury confined to only a few cities

In India, luxury retailing mostly is confined to the three metro cities- Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. Even in these cities, there is not a single high street for luxury brands in India. The Taj Mahal hotel in the nation’s financial capital has a Louis Vuitton store that houses its signature bags. The hotel also has a Dior store, which sells Pret-a-porter dresses that start at around $5,000 and bags that kick off at $2,500. If you visit them, the stores were mostly empty of customers except for the occasional curious tourist.

Import Duties

Reasons Why Most Luxury Brands Fail In India (3)

With import duties of up to 30 percent, luxury goods are often far cheaper outside India. Also, the variety is much more overseas, the service is much better, the whole experience is much nicer. So even those people who are interested for luxury goods purchase it from Dubai, Singapore or London.

The absence of Luxury brands streets

Reasons Why Most Luxury Brands Fail In India (4)

There is no high street for luxury brands in India. All existing high streets are very cluttered and over-crowded and hence, do not provide a suitable ambiance that luxury retail demands. The challenge is infrastructure. The problem is providing the Indian consumer with a luxury shopping experience in a country where streets are strewn with garbage and squalid slums sit across from posh mansions. Even the so-called ‘luxury malls’ in India are not really luxury. They have issues with basic infrastructure, with untrained staff, it’s just not a luxury experience.

For Indian consumers, it is a matter of prestige when people associate themselves with a brand that they are paying for. Like For men, shoes with prominent logo sell more in India. Women shoes do not sell well because they don’t see value. However, women buy sunglasses and handbags which are more visible. People like to show-off. Indian buyers give huge importance to perception and value. Quality and craftsmanship matters but not a decider point for Indians.

Reasons Why Most Luxury Brands Fail In India (2024)

FAQs

Why are luxury brands not popular in India? ›

India's luxury market differs from others in a few critical ways. First, the overall per capita spend for Indian consumers is lower by a factor compared to the West, China, and some markets in Asia. This applies across all product categories, not just luxury.

What are the challenges faced by luxury brands in India? ›

The industry has faced challenges from technological advancements, high import duties and counterfeits products. The purpose of this research paper is to highlight the main areas of concern for the future of luxurybrand industry in Indian market with its challenges, trends and opportunities.

Why do Indian brands fail? ›

He lists several behavioural reasons for the failure of new products - (i) hurriedly launched products, the eye being on the competition rather than the customer (ii) launching products simply because it is company policy to launch a certain number every year (iii) inability of brand managers to speak up against ...

Which foreign brands failed in India? ›

10 (Xinhua) -- A long list of multinational companies has failed in India. Notable cases include General Motors from the United States, Vodafone Group from Britain, Holcim Group from Switzerland, and BYD from China.

Who is the target audience for luxury brands in India? ›

The target audience for luxury brands includes individuals who have a passion for high-end brands. They appreciate quality and craftsmanship and are prepared to invest in luxury goods and experiences. These consumers are drawn to exclusivity, sophistication, and prestige in the products and services they indulge in.

Which is the cheapest luxury brand in India? ›

Top 10 Cheapest Luxury Cars in India 2024
  • Skoda Superb. ...
  • Volvo XC40. ...
  • BMW 3 Series. ...
  • Volvo XC60. ...
  • Audi A4. ...
  • Mini Cooper Convertible S. ...
  • Volvo S90. ...
  • Mercedes-Benz GLC 2023.

What is an example of brand failure in India? ›

TATA Nano: The Tiny Car That Couldn't

Despite being a product of the massive TATA conglomerate, Nano struggled to maintain its market presence, serving as a cautionary tale about the perils of misjudging consumer preferences and contributing to the list of failed products in India.

What is the biggest challenge facing luxury brands today? ›

Luxury brands face various challenges in today's market. One challenge is the need to maintain economic growth while also focusing on brand image building and customer loyalty.

What is the future of luxury in India? ›

What's Next? India is one of the fastest-growing luxury markets in the world. According to a report by Bain & Company, India's luxury market could reach $200 billion by 2030, which is approximately 3.5 times its current size! That's it for today.

Which fashion brands failed in India? ›

The fashion brand Rheson was launched by Neerja actress Sonam Kapoor and her sister Rhea Kapoor in 2017. The brand aimed to offer affordable, trendy fashion wear. However, despite initial popularity, the brand faced challenges in establishing a strong market presence and failed to generate profits.

What is India's most valuable brand? ›

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) retained its top position as India's most valuable brand for the second consecutive year with a brand value of $43 billion, capitalising on the global demand for digital transformation, despite a tough year for the business technology segment in general.

Which company has failed in India? ›

Kingfisher Airlines: The premium and world-class airline was based in Bangalore and founded by the infamous Vijay Mallya. The airline carried out around 400 flights every day. However, the brand couldn't keep up with customer satisfaction. Lack of deputation, misbehaviour and lack of attention to the customer.

Why there are no Indian luxury brands? ›

There are handful of high-end malls in the country which are also limited to tier 1 cities. Unlike developed markets, there is lack of quality retail space. There are no luxury high-streets or factory outlets in India.

What is the most successful brand in India? ›

Most Successful Indian Brands List:
  • Reliance Industries.
  • Tata Group.
  • Maruti Suzuki.
  • Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
  • State Bank of India.
  • LIC India.
  • Infosys.
  • TCS.
Feb 22, 2023

Which foreign brand is best in India? ›

Luxury International Brands Found in India
  • 1Louis Vuitton – BOLLYWOODS' FAVOURITE BRAND. ...
  • 2Louboutin's – THE RED BOTTOMS. ...
  • 3Chanel – SIMPLICITY IS ELEGANCE. ...
  • 4Armani – A SUIT THAT FITS PERFECTLY. ...
  • 5Rolex – EVERY ROLEX HAS A STORY. ...
  • 6Dior – HAPPINESS IS BEAUTY. ...
  • 7Versace – AUDACIOUS AND UNAPOLOGETIC.

Are there any luxury brands in India? ›

Louis Vuitton Stores in India – Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai | DLF Emporio Mall, Delhi | UB City, Bangalore. Christian Louboutin is a French fashion designer whose high-end stiletto footwear incorporating a shiny red sole became a dream for every girl.

Is Louis Vuitton popular in India? ›

For a certain group of people in 'India's Silicon Valley', status is everything. The city at the heart of this dynamic tech hub, Bengaluru, has become a centre of wealth and an engine of ambition for the country. “Louis Vuitton bags are more common [here] than grocery bags.

Is India ready for niche luxury brands? ›

The potential of India as a luxury market is breathtaking. This year, it's likely to be one of the fastest-growing markets in global luxury, forecast to be worth $8.5 billion, up by an impressive $2.5 billion on 2021, according to estimates by Euromonitor International.

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