top of page

Insight of the Day: Luxury beauty wins over fashion as consumers adjust spending amid downturn

Why the Topic is Trending: Luxury beauty products have overtaken fashion items in popularity due to shifts in consumer spending behaviors amid an ongoing economic downturn.

Overview: Consumers are increasingly choosing luxury cosmetics as affordable indulgences instead of high-cost fashion items, prompting significant growth in the beauty segment compared to luxury apparel.

Detailed Findings:

  • Main Trend: Shift to Affordable Luxury

  • Description of the Trend ("Small Luxury Boom"): Consumers are shifting spending from high-ticket luxury fashion items to more affordable luxury cosmetics as the economic climate tightens.

  • Consumer Motivation: Desire for personal indulgence, affordable luxury experiences, and emotional uplift during economic challenges.

  • What is Driving the Trend: Economic downturn prompting cautious spending, attraction to smaller-ticket luxury items.

  • Motivation Beyond the Trend: Consumers seek emotional satisfaction, self-care, and a sense of normalcy amidst economic uncertainty.

  • Description of Consumers: Predominantly women aged 20-50, middle-to-high income, lifestyle-conscious, value-driven, and digitally savvy individuals seeking accessible luxury experiences.

Key Takeaway: Luxury beauty is outperforming luxury fashion as consumers prioritize affordable, smaller-scale indulgences during economic hardship.

Conclusions:

  • Implications for Brands: Necessity to diversify product lines into beauty segments to sustain growth during economic volatility.

  • Implications for Society: Reflects changing societal values, prioritizing self-care and affordable luxuries during financial pressures.

  • Implications for Consumers: Access to luxury experiences at manageable price points, maintaining lifestyle satisfaction despite economic constraints.

  • Implications for Future: Continued strategic shifts by luxury brands towards beauty products to ensure financial stability and market relevance.

Consumer Trend: Accessible Indulgence

  • Consumers prioritize smaller, affordable luxury purchases as emotional boosts during economic challenges.

Consumer Sub Trend: Beauty as Affordable Status

  • Growing consumer perception of cosmetics as accessible status symbols compared to expensive luxury fashion goods.

Big Social Trend: Economic Resilience through Small Luxuries

  • Societal trend towards maintaining personal indulgence through financially accessible products during economic hardship.

Worldwide Social Trend: Luxury Brand Diversification

  • Global luxury brands increasingly diversify into cosmetics to create stable revenue streams amidst fluctuating economic conditions.

Social Drive: Desire for Emotional Comfort

  • Consumers driven by emotional and psychological benefits associated with affordable luxury purchases.

Learnings for Brands to Use in 2025:

  • Expand and innovate within beauty and cosmetic segments to secure stable revenues.

  • Emphasize product narratives around emotional comfort and self-care.

Strategy Recommendations for Brands to Follow in 2025:

  • Focus marketing campaigns around affordable luxury and accessible indulgence.

  • Develop strategic product launches and partnerships that emphasize emotional and psychological satisfaction.

Final Sentence (Key Concept): The strategic pivot to luxury beauty offers brands sustained growth and consumer connection by aligning with current desires for affordable indulgence and emotional comfort.

What Brands & Companies Should Do in 2025 to Benefit from Trend and How to Do It:

  • Invest in product innovation within cosmetics and skincare sectors.

  • Launch targeted campaigns emphasizing emotional well-being, personal care, and affordable luxury.

  • Strengthen digital engagement strategies targeting consumer segments seeking luxury at accessible price points.

Final Note:

  • Core Trend:

    • Name: Small Luxury Boom

    • Description: Rapid growth in luxury cosmetics as affordable indulgences amid reduced spending on high-end fashion.

  • Core Strategy:

    • Name: Emotional Comfort Marketing

    • Description: Brands to strategically market beauty products as sources of emotional well-being during economic downturns.

  • Core Industry Trend:

    • Name: Product Diversification into Beauty

    • Description: Luxury brands expanding into cosmetics to maintain stable revenues amidst declining fashion sales.

  • Core Consumer Motivation:

    • Name: Accessible Emotional Luxury

    • Description: Consumers motivated by affordable yet emotionally rewarding luxury experiences.

Final Conclusion: Luxury brands must strategically leverage the shift toward accessible beauty products, highlighting emotional comfort and affordability, ensuring market stability and sustained consumer engagement amidst economic uncertainty.

Core Trend Detailed: The "Small Luxury Boom" underscores consumer preferences shifting significantly from high-priced luxury fashion to affordable luxury beauty products, driven by the need for emotional comfort and personal indulgence during ongoing economic challenges.

Comments


bottom of page