Luxury Branding and Inconspicuous Consumption




Branding
Knowledge Center

Translate

Forum
5
Anneke Zwart
Student (University), Netherlands

Luxury Branding and Inconspicuous Consumption

Since about a decade there is a rise of so-called 'inconspicuous consumption', referring to the affinity of elite consumers for discrete rather than traditionally branded luxury products. This change is driven by three factors:
  • First of all, traditional logos and brands have spread to the middle class. As a result, they don’t signal wealth in the way they used to do.
  • Secondly, the desire of the upper class to overt status symbols has decreased.
  • And thirdly, niche brands are becoming increasingly popular, particularly through social media.
As such, organizations can now benefit from a more inconspicuous way of branding. However until now, the response to this trend has rather been slow. Wilson, Eckhardt and Belk have developed two best practices that can support organizations to respond to the trend:
  1. Redesign offerings to downsize logos and luxury: Elite brands have started to downsize their brands or even hide them. Another trend is that those organizations make the display of logos and brands optional. Patrón, for example, has reduced the gilding on its tequila bottles.
  2. Rebrand around the utility and experiences of products/services or artisans behind products/services: Rather than focusing on the luxury of products in branding, companies should start to focus more on artistry, the experience of services and utility or quality of products. An interesting example of a company that has rebranded its products is the Chinese brand Shang Xia, who now focuses on artistry, its tasteful stores and the quality of its customer service.
Source: Wilson, J.A.J., Eckhardt, G.M. and Belk, R.W. (2015) “The Rise of Inconspicuous Consumption” Journal of Marketing Management
HBR “Marketing Luxury Branding Below The Radar” HBR September 2015

   

More on Branding:
Summary
Discussion Topics
Audio Branding: a Sound Solution?
🥇 What is a Brand? Definition of a Brand
🔥 Employer Branding
🥈 Creating versus Modifying a Brand
What is a Power Brand?
Building a Global Brand from an Emerging Country
The COBRA Approach to Branding
What is Sub-branding? 3 Types of Sub-brands
Advantages and Cautions of Brand Extensions
👀Luxury Branding and Inconspicuous Consumption
Criteria for Brand Name Success
Strategic Benefits of Branding
Branding Quotes
What is the Importance of Industrial Branding | B2B Branding?
Special Interest Group

Do you know a lot about Branding? Become our SIG Leader

Branding
Knowledge Center



About 12manage | Advertising | Link to us / Cite us | Privacy | Suggestions | Terms of Service
© 2023 12manage - The Executive Fast Track. V16.1 - Last updated: 3-6-2023. All names ™ of their owners.