Financier №1 (41) 2026

In 2025, the global market for luxury clothing, footwear, and accessories reached $99.8 billion, according to Market Growth Reports, with a forecasted growth to $102.6 billion in 2026 and $121 billion by 2033. Women account for approximately 65 % of demand in this category. They also shape product strategies, communications, and brand priorities.

A Sense of Measure

Luxury products are most in demand in the Asia‑Pacific region and Europe. In major economies, there is a growing trend towards conscious consumption. Around 60 % of luxury buyers state that when choosing a brand, they consider sustainability, the origin of materials, and the company’s social responsibility. This trend is reflected in brand strategies. For example, Hermès is experimenting with innovative technologies, including so‑called mushroom leather*, while Chanel has discontinued the use of certain animal‑derived materials.

*Innovative mycelium-based biodegradable material 

Beyond Logos

Nearly 40 % of female consumers value quality and durability in luxury goods above brand display. Against this backdrop, demand is rising for “quiet luxury” - timeless pieces where wealth is not overtly demonstrated but expressed through high quality and understatement.

Women are increasingly purchasing luxury items to mark personal achievements: to celebrate a promotion, a completed project, or a significant life decision. According to surveys, luxury purchases are becoming less motivated by the desire to impress others.

More than 25 % of high‑income female consumers spend over $64 000 annually on luxury goods, significantly outpacing their male counterparts in the same income bracket. Unlike men - who, according to sociologists, prioritise the display of social status - women select products based on personal comfort and self‑perception.

Luxury: The Second Round

The secondary market for luxury goods is growing by more than 10 % annually. Resale has become part of a new consumption culture, allowing consumers to regularly update their wardrobes while reinforcing the demand for high‑quality product characteristics.

The value of an item is measured by its ability to retain value over time, which is why handbags, accessories, and vintage items with high liquidity are in high demand in the luxury resale market.

Digitalisation is driving the trend forward. Social media increasingly influence decisions about luxury purchases and bring new customers to brands. Women over 55 are becoming an active online audience, which expands the notion of the modern luxury consumer.

Resale has become part of the ecosystem for a significant number of brands. Gucci, Burberry, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen have launched programmes that allow reselling goods via their own or partner online platforms, such as The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective (where branded items are sold with authenticity guarantees). Chloé has gone a step further by introducing digital product passports and proposing to direct proceeds from sales to charity.

Traditional Values

An expanding consumer base for luxury goods ensures stability and predictability for this market. Women are more likely to make repeat purchases, maintain brand loyalty for longer, and participate in all stages of the consumer ecosystem, including resale.

Manufacturers are focusing on the most profitable categories, primarily accessories as well as leather goods and innovative leather alternatives. This enables businesses to generate a stable cash flow. Investors betting on the luxury segment are backing long‑term shifts in consumer behaviour. They are driven by the increasingly pronounced financial independence of women and a change in the very logic of consumption. For many, modern luxury is no longer about displaying one’s material status but about making conscious choices and pursuing a high quality of life.