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Generations of Luxury: What 'Young Affluents' Want and What It Means to Luxury Marketers

Published by: Unity Marketing Inc.

Published: Apr. 1, 2007 - 220 Pages


Table of Contents


CHAPTER 1: STUDY OVERVIEW

Research Objectives

Today’s affluent market is dominated by different generations at different life stages 13

A generational shift in the luxury market is coming

Figure 1: Ages of Affluence

Baby Boomers and older consumers represent three-fourths of today’s luxury market15

Figure 2: Generations of Luxury

In 2010 the leading edge of the Boomer generation will start to retire

Key question for the study: What do the 40 and under luxury consumers want and how does it differ from the over 40 crowd?

Luxury Marketers need insight to help them see ‘Over the Horizon’

Baby Boomers will still be an important segment of the luxury market through 2020

Luxury marketers must bridge the generation gap to reach the GenXers and Millennials

Qualitative Research Methodology

Topics Discussed in Focus Groups

Quantitative Research Methodology

Figure 3: Average Income Luxury Survey Samples

Income of the Survey Sample

Figure 4: Income Distribution Survey Samples

Younger consumers come from more prosperous family backgrounds

Figure 5: Financial Status of Family of Origin

Age distribution of survey sample

Figure 6: Distribution of Age & Generations

Income by age

Figure 7: Income by Age

Gender of survey sample

Marital status of survey sample

Figure 8: Marital Status by Age

Number of people living in the household

Home ownership

Figure 9: Home Ownership by Age

Where they live

Ethnic diversity

Educational levels

Figure 10: Educational Levels by Age

Generational differences not exclusive to age, but associated with age

Life stage plays a major part in the luxury consumer market, helping explain what luxury consumers buy and how much they spend

Figure 11: Life Stage Changes by age

Different life stages bring different priorities in spending

CHAPTER 2: ABOUT THE GENERATIONS & THEIR SPENDING ON LUXURY

Younger luxury consumers spend more on luxuries

Figure 12: Spending on Luxury by Generations

Equal levels of income but higher levels of spending

The young affluents out-spent the older consumers in all luxury goods categories

Figure 13: Total Spending on Home, Personal, Automobile and Experiential Luxuries 2005 & 2006 by age.

Spending on luxury experiences is about equal for both generations

Younger luxury consumers are invested heavily in all aspects of their luxury lifestyle - Older luxury consumers focus more on the experiences

Younger consumers spent more on home luxuries

Figure 14: Total Spending Home Luxuries 2005 & 2006 by age

Younger consumers spent 31 percent more on personal luxuries in 2006

Figure 15: Total Spending on Personal Luxuries & Automobiles 2005 & 2006 by age

The generations spent about the same on experiential luxuries in 2006

Figure 16: Total Spending on Experiential Luxuries 2005 & 2006 by age

About Luxury Pleasures and Satisfactions

Figure 17: Share of Luxury Budgets by age

Older luxury consumers obtain greatest luxury pleasure from things they do, while younger consumers gain more pleasure from material things

Figure 18: Where Luxury Consumers Get Greatest Satisfaction & Happiness by age

GENERATIONAL TREND #1: TWO DEFINITIONS OF LUXURY

One word — Luxury — with two totally different meanings

Figure 19: Definitions of Luxury by age

Consumers express their definition of luxury

How luxury consumers define the materialistic side of luxury

How luxury consumers define luxury as an experience

The Luxury of Jewelry vs. The Luxury of Travel

Implications of Trend #1 for Luxury Marketers

GENERATIONAL TREND #2: ACQUISITION VS. DISPOSITION

Older Luxury Consumers Own More of the ‘Good Things” in Life

Figure 20: Luxury Consumers' Luxury Toys by age

Implications of Trend #2 for Luxury Marketers

CHAPTER 3: ABOUT THE GENERATIONS & WHY THEY BUY LUXURY

Luxury Consumers Just Want to Have Fun, Regardless of Age

Figure 21: Why People Buy Luxury

Index where the average is 100 shows how specific motivations rank in the consumers’ value system

Figure 22: Index of Motivators Ranked Extremely Important

Putting Motivational Research Findings to Work

How Luxury Consumers Describe their Motivation for Luxury

All luxury consumers are motivated toward luxury for pleasure and enjoyment

What influences the generations to buy home luxuries

Influencers on home luxury purchases differ by age

Figure 23: Influencers of Home Luxury Purchase

Young affluents are more influenced by several key factors that home luxury marketers can control

What influences the generations to buy luxury automobiles

Figure 24: Influencers of Luxury Automobile Purchases

What influences the generations to buy personal luxuries

Figure 25: Influencers of Personal Luxury Purchases

Which comes first when shopping for personal luxuries — The store or the product brand?

That depends on the target consumers’ age

What influences the generations to buy experiential luxuries

Figure 26: Influencers on Experiential Luxury Purchases

Experiential luxury marketers have to approach the younger luxury consumers differently that the older luxury consumers

Role of exclusivity in the luxury market

Status and the Luxury Generations — Status Defined

Americans tend to reject the notion of ‘Status’ and take an ‘Anti-Status’ point of view

Luxury consumers’ attitudes about status investigated

Figure 27: Attitude Statements about Status

Personalities of Status

Figure 28: Personalities of Status

Consensus Connie Goes Along with the Status Quo

Sarah the Status Seeker Places a Priority on Prestige

Quality Magnet Martha Is Driven to Buy the Best

Anti-Status Andy Rejects the Trappings of Status

Lifecycle of Luxury Brands’ Status Tied to Consumers’ Age

Figure 29: Status Personalities by Age

Figure 30: Status Attitudes Most Associated with Younger Luxury Consumers

Figure 31: Anti-Status Attitudes Most Closely Associated with Older Luxury Consumers

GENERATIONAL TREND #3: STATUS VS. ANTI-STATUS

Anti-Status Attitude Is Taking Hold

Implications of Trend #3 for Luxury Marketers

Maintaining luxury consumers’ desire for status through the acquisition of luxury is

good for luxury marketers

CHAPTER 4: THE GENERATIONS AND HOME LUXURIES

In 2006 young affluents purchased luxury electronics, kitchenware and cookware and

tabletop more actively

Figure 32: Home Luxury Purchase Incidence by age 2005 & 2006

Figure 33: Spending on Home Luxuries by age, 2005 & 2006

Why Younger Luxury Consumers Buy More Home Luxuries

Figure 34: Indoor Luxury Home Appointments by age

Figure 35: Outdoor Home Luxuries by age

Young Affluents Undertake More Home Changes

Figure 36: Home Changes in Past Year by age

Primary Influencers on Consumers’ Luxury Home Purchases

Art & Antiques — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Art & Antiques Bought

Figure 37: Type of Art & Antiques Bought by age

Where Art & Antiques Were Purchased

Figure 38: Where People Bought Art & Antiques by age

Art & Antiques Brand Purchase

Figure 39: Art & Antiques Brand Purchase by age

Art & Antiques Purchase Influencers

Figure 40: Art & Antiques Purchase Influencers by Age

Electronics — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Electronics Bought

Figure 41: Type of Electronics Bought by age

Where Electronics Were Purchased

Figure 42: Where People Bought Luxury Electronics by age

Electronics Brand Purchase

Figure 43: Electronics Brand Purchase by age

Electronics Purchase Influencers

Figure 44: Electronics Purchase Influencers by age

What Makes Electronics Luxurious

Luxury Furniture, Lamps and Floor Coverings — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Furniture, Lamps and Floor Coverings Bought

Figure 45: Type of Furniture, Lamps and Floor Coverings Bought by age

Where Furniture, Lamps and Floor Coverings Were Purchased

Figure 46: Where People Bought Furniture, Lamps and Floor Coverings

Furniture, Lamps and Floor Coverings Influencers

Figure 47: Furniture, Lamps and Floor Coverings Influencers

What Makes Home Furnishings Luxurious

Garden & Outdoor — Purchase Detail By Age

Type of Garden and Outdoor Luxuries Bought

Figure 48: Type of Garden and Outdoor Luxuries Bought by age

Where Garden and Outdoor Luxuries Were Purchased

Figure 49: Where People Bought Garden & Outdoor Luxuries

Garden and Outdoor Luxuries Influencers

Figure 50: Garden & Outdoor Luxuries Influencers

Luxury Home Decor Fabrics, Wall & Window Coverings — Purchase Detail by Age96

Type of Home Decor Fabrics, Wall and Window Coverings Bought

Figure 51: Type of Home Decor Fabrics, Wall and Window Coverings Bought by age

Where Fabrics, Wall and Window Coverings Purchased

Figure 52: Where People Bought Home Decor Fabrics, Wall and Window Coverings

Fabric, Wall and Window Coverings Influencers

Figure 53: Fabric, Wall and Window Covering Influencers

Kitchen Appliances, Bath & Building Products — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Kitchen Appliances, Bath & Building Products Bought

Figure 54: Type of Kitchen Appliances, Bath & Building Products Bought

Where Kitchen Appliances, Bath & Building Products Were Purchased

Figure 55: Where People Bought Kitchen Appliances, Bath & Building Products

Kitchen Appliance, Bath & Building Products Purchase Influencers

Figure 56: Kitchen Appliance, Bath & Building Products Influencers

What Makes Kitchen Appliance, Bath & Building Products Luxurious

Kitchenware, Cookware, Bakeware, Cooks’ Tools — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Kitchenware, Cookware, Bakeware, Cooks’ Tools Bought

Figure 57: Type of Kitchenware, Cookware, Bakeware, Cooks’ Tools Bought

Where Kitchenware, Cookware, Bakeware, Cooks’ Tools Were Purchased

Figure 58: Where People Bought Kitchenware, Cookware, Bakeware and Cooks’ Tools

Kitchenware, Cookware, Bakeware, Cook’s Tools Purchase Influencers

Figure 59: Kitchenware, Cookware, Bakeware, Cooks’ Tools Influencers

Linens & Bedding — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Linens & Bedding Bought

Figure 60: Type of Linens & Bedding Bought by age

Where Linens & Bedding Were Purchased

Figure 61: Where People Bought Linens & Bedding by age

Linens & Bedding Purchase Influencers

Figure 62: Linens & Bedding Purchase Influencers

Tabletop — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Tabletop Bought

Figure 63: Type of Tabletop Bought by age

Type of Crystal/Glassware Bought by Age

Figure 64: Type of Crystal/Glassware Bought by age

Type of Dinnerware Purchased

Figure 65: Type of Dinnerware Purchased by age

Type of Silverware/Flatware Purchased

Figure 66: Type of Silverware/Flatware Purchased by age

Where Tabletop Products Were Purchased

Figure 67: Where People Bought Tabletop by age

Tabletop Brand Purchase

Figure 68: Tabletop Brand Purchase by age

Tabletop Purchase Influencers

Figure 69: Tabletop Purchasers Index

Overview of Home Products Favored by the Young Affluents

Art & Antiques

Electronics

Furniture, Lamps & Floor Coverings

Garden/Outdoor

Home Decor Fabrics, Wall & Window Coverings

Kitchen Appliances, Bath & Building Products

Kitchenware, Cookware, Bakeware, Cooks’ Tools

Linens & Bedding

Tabletop

GENERATIONAL TREND #4 — BUYING FOR HOME VS. ACQUIRING LIFE’S EXTRAS

Figure 70: Overview Home Luxury Purchase Incidence by age, 2006

Implications of Trend #4 for Luxury Marketers

Luxury consumers perceptions of ‘luxury’ changes over time

Spending on Experiences and Spending on Home Luxuries Are Correlated

Figure 71:; Spending Trends on Home & Experiences, 2006

CHAPTER 5: THE GENERATIONS AND PERSONAL LUXURIES

In 2006 young affluents purchased luxury clothing and fashion accessories more

actively

Figure 72: Personal Luxuries Purchase Incidence by age

Figure 73: Spending on Personal Luxuries by age, 2005 & 2006

Primary Influencers on Consumers’ Personal Luxury Purchases

Clothing & Apparel — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Clothing & Apparel Bought

Figure 74: Type of Clothing & Apparel Bought

Where Clothing & Apparel Was Purchased

Figure 75: Where People Bought Clothing & Apparel by age

Clothing & Apparel Brand Purchase

Figure 76: Clothing & Apparl Brand Purchase by age

Clothing & Apparel Purchase Influencers

Figure 77: Clothing & Apparel Purchase Influencers by Age

What Makes Clothing & Apparel Luxurious

Fashion Accessories — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Fashion Accessories Bought

Figure 78: Type of Fashion Accessories Bought by age

Where Fashion Accessories Were Purchased

Figure 79: Where People Bought Fashion Accessories by age

Fashion Accessories Brand Purchase

Figure 80: Fashion Accessories Brand Purchase by age

Fashion Accessories Purchase Influencers

Figure 81: Fashion Accessories Purchase Influencers by age

What Makes Fashion Accessories Luxurious

Fragrances and Beauty Products — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Fragrances and Beauty Products Bought

Figure 82: Type of Fragrance, Beauty Products, Cosmetics Bought by age

Where Fragrance, Beauty Products, Cosmetics Were Purchased

Figure 83: Where People Bought Fragrances and Beauty Products

Fragrances, Beauty Products, Cosmetics Influencers

Figure 84: Cosmetics and Beauty Products Influencers

What Makes Fragrance, Beauty Products and Cosmetics Luxurious

Jewelry — Purchase Detail By Age

Type of Jewelry Bought

Figure 85: Type of Jewelry Bought by age

Type of Women’s Jewelry Bought

Figure 86: Type of Women's Jewelry Bought by age

Type of Men’s Jewelry Bought

Figure 87: Type of Men's Jewelry Bought by age

Material & Gemstones of Women’s Jewelry

Figure 88: Material & Gemstones of Women’s Jewelry by age

Material & Gemstones of Men’s Jewelry

Figure 89: Material and Gemstones of Men's Jewelry Bought

Where Jewelry Was Purchased

Figure 90: Where People Bought Jewelry

Jewelry Brand Purchase

Figure 91: Jewelry Brand Purchase by age

Jewelry Influencers

Figure 92: Jewelry Influencers

What Makes Jewelry Luxurious

Watches — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Watches Bought

Figure 93: Type of Watches Bought by age

Type of Material of Formal/Dress Watches

Figure 94: Material of Composition of Formal/Dress Watches Bought by Age

Where Watches Were Purchased

Figure 95: Where People Bought Watches

Watch Brand Purchase

Figure 96: Watch Brand Purchase by age

Watch Influencers

Figure 97: Watch Influencers

What Make Watches Luxurious

Pet Products — Purchase Detail by Age

Where Pet Products Were Purchased

Figure 98: Where People Bought Pet Products

Wine & Spirits — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Wine & Spirits Bought

Figure 99: Type of Wine & Spirits Bought

Pens & Writing Instruments — Purchase Detail by Age

Where Pens & Writing Instruments Were Purchased

Figure 100: Where People Bought Pens & Writing Instruments by age

Automobile — Purchase Detail by Age

Luxury Automobile Brand Purchase

Figure 101: Automobile Brand Purchase by age

Luxury Automobile Purchase Influencers

Figure 102: Automobile Purchase Influencers

Overview of Personal Luxury Products and Brands Favored by the Young Affluents

Clothing & Apparel Products & Brands

Fashion Accessories

Fragrances & Beauty Products

Jewelry

Watches

Wines & Spirits

Automobile Brands

GENERATIONAL TREND #5: WE-THINK VS. ME-THINK

Figure 103: Marital Status by age (Current Population Survey)

Figure 104: Percentage of Married Couples by Age with Children

Implications of Trend #5 for luxury marketers

GENERATIONAL TREND #6: BRAND LOYALTY VS. RETAILER LOYALTY

The Question of Brands

The Store as It Relates to Brands

More About the Luxury Shopping Experience

Implications of Trend #6 for Luxury Marketers

CHAPTER 6: THE GENERATIONS AND EXPERIENTIAL LUXURIES

In 2006 young affluents purchased entertainment, spa and beauty services and travel at a higher rate than the more mature luxury consumers

Figure 105: Experiential Purchase Incidence by age, 2006 and 2006

Figure 106: Spending on Experiential Luxuries by age, 2005 & 2006

Primary Influencers on Consumers’ Personal Luxury Purchases

Dining — Purchase Detail by Age

Fine Dining Purchase Influencers

Figure 107: Fine Dining Purchase Influencers by Age

More about Luxury Fine Dining

Entertainment — Purchase Detail by Age

Entertainment Purchase Influencers

Figure 108: Entertainment Purchase Influencers by age

Home Services — Purchase Detail by Age

Home Services Purchase Influencers

Figure 109: Home Service Influencers

Spa and Beauty Services — Purchase Detail by Age

Spa and Beauty Purchase Influencers

Figure 110: Spa and Beauty Treatment Influencers by age

Travel — Purchase Detail by Age

Type of Luxury Travel Bought

Figure 111: Type of Foreign Travel Bought by age

Figure 112: Type of Domestic Travel Bought by age

Travel Purchase Influencers

Figure 113: Travel Purchase Influencers

What Makes Travel Luxurious

GENERATIONAL TREND #7 — TIME IS ULTIMATE LUXURY VS. LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES

Implications of Trend #7

The Internet Saves Time for Busy Luxury Consumers

Figure 114: Top Three Choices for Luxury Goods Shopping, 2006

Internet Widely Used to Research and Purchase

Figure 115: Luxury Consumers' Use of the Internet

Entertainment and Recreation Lead Internet Purchases

Figure 116: Kinds of Products and Services Bought on the Internet, 3Q2005

Young Affluents Take to Lead the Internet Spending Pack

Figure 117: Average Spending on All Goods & Services over the Internet, 3Q2005, by age .. 200

Time Spent Online

Convenience and Comparison Shopping Are Key to the Appeal of Internet Shopping

Figure 118: Features Luxury Shoppers Consider Very Important for Using the Internet for

Shopping by age

Shipping and Handling Charges Discourage Luxury Internet Shoppers

Luxury Consumers’ Attitudes about Internet Shopping

Figure 120: Attitudes of Luxury Shoppers about Internet Shopping by age

Young Affluents Have a More Technically-Enhanced Lifestyle

Figure 121: Electronic Devices Owned by Luxury Consumers by age

CHAPTER 7: GENERATIONS AND OTHER LIFESTYLE FACTORS

Majority of Luxury Consumers Trade Down - Not Up - to Luxury

Figure 122: Likelihood to Purchase More Luxurious Offering by age

Differences found between the age groups in the specific luxuries they are more likely to

indulge in

Figure 123: Likelihood to Purchase More Luxurious Home Offering by age

Figure 124: Likelihood to Purchase more Luxurious Personal Luxury Products by age

Figure 125: Likelihood to Purchase More Luxurious Experiences by age

Young affluents are more bargain conscious when buying experiences

Figure 126: Last Luxury Bought on Sale or at Discount by age

Young affluents collect points and redeem rewards

Figure 127: Member Loyalty Reward Programs by age

Figure 128: Average Amount Spent Buying Luxury by Members in Reward Program by age 211

GENERATIONAL TREND #8 — FRUGAL VS. INDULGENT

Young Affluents Are Passionate About Getting More for Less

Implications for Trend #8 for Luxury Marketers

GENERATIONAL TREND #9 — NEW CASUAL VS. BUSINESS CASUAL

Implication of Trend #9 for Luxury Marketers

CHAPTER 8: THE “WANT-IT-ALL” GENERATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR LUXURY MARKETERS

Today’s Young Affluents Are the ‘Want-It-All’ Generation

Key Trends that Distinguish the Young Affluents from Older Luxury Consumers

Generational Trend #1 — Two Definitions of Luxury: Material vs. Experiential

Implications of Trend #1 for Luxury Marketers

Generational Trend #2 — Acquisition vs. Disposition

Implications of Trend #2 for Luxury Marketers

Generational Trend #3 — Status vs. Anti-Status

Implications of Trend #3 for Luxury Marketers

Generational Trend #4 — Buying for Home vs. Acquiring Life's Extras

Implications of Trend #4 for Luxury Marketers

Generational Trend #5 — Generational Trend #5: We-Think vs. Me-Think

Implications of Trend #5 for luxury marketers

Generational Trend #6: Brand Loyalty vs. Retailer Loyalty

Implications of Trend #6 for Luxury Marketers

Generational Trend #7 — Time Is Ultimate Luxury vs. Life-Changing Experiences 225

Implications of Trend #7

Generational Trend #8 — Frugal vs. Indulgent

Implications for Trend #8 for Luxury Marketers

Generational Trend #9 — New Casual vs. Business Casual

Implication of Trend #9 for Luxury Marketers

Abstract

Meet the Young Affluents. The fresh, unexpected needs and desires of this "Want-It-All" Generation will be the most important trend to impact the global luxury market over the next decade and beyond. And savvy marketers need to be poised to meet the demands of this unique new force in the luxury marketplace.

Young affluents -- roughly corresponding to the Generation X and Millennial generations -- will play an increasingly important role in the target market for global luxury marketers over the next ten to twenty years. This is true not just in the United States (with a median age of 36.5 years) or in the European countries (where the median age ranges around 40 years old), but in the developing luxury markets, like Brazil (median age 28.2 years), India (24.9 years) and China (32.7 years), where the population as a whole is more youthful. This report presents information that is vital to the future success of luxury marketers worldwide.

This report will help luxury marketers and retailers 'think young' in order to understand the young affluents and to position their brands for the future in the developed and the developing markets. To prepare for the future, luxury marketers must understand the unique desires of the young affluents, how they express luxury in their lifestyles today and how they will do so in the future. Understanding the young luxury consumers is critical for marketers to target their marketing communications, advertising and product development efforts effectively now and for years to come.

This report presents the nine key trends that distinguish the young affluents from the more mature luxury consumers, based upon the latest research combining both qualitative and quantitative methodologies conducted by Unity Marketing. These nine trends form the basis for a strategy to help luxury marketers understand and reach out to the young affluents who will be their primary consumers for the next decade and for years to come.

What Do the Young Affluents Want and How Does It Differ from the Over 40 Crowd?

The global luxury market is going young so luxury marketers must learn to think young in order to survive and thrive. Global luxury marketers have gotten used to the passions and nuances of the maturing Baby Boomers after so many years of targeting this generation with their luxury goods and services. Now they have a new challenge to appeal to the young affluents who have different ideas about luxury and different priorities in how they spend their wealth.

Looking to the future, the global luxury market will be less culturally bound. Given the rise of the internet and other global media embraced by young people, trends in the luxury market will cross borders at alarming rates. The future of the international luxury market will be a 'global village' made up of young affluent citizens of the world.

To prepare for the future, luxury marketers must understand the unique desires of the under 40 year olds, how they express luxury in their lifestyles today and into the future. Understanding the young luxury consumers is critical for marketers to target their marketing communications, advertising and product development efforts effectively now and into the future.

This study reveals:
  • Nine key trends that distinguish the young affluents from the older generation -- and the implications for luxury marketers for each of these nine trends in terms of branding, marketing and retailing
  • What luxury categories are most appealing to the young affluents -- In which luxury categories the young affluents represent the core target market
  • Where the young affluents shop for their favored luxuries and what marketers need to do to capture those customers when they are shopping
  • How marketers can influence young affluents in their luxury purchases
  • Why young affluents spend more and how luxury marketers can capture a bigger share of their wallets


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