奢侈品行业十字路口_2026年消费者与增长指南_18页_2mb

Summary of LUXURY ATA CROSSROADS

Core Content

The report "LUXURY ATA CROSSROADS" outlines the strategic landscape for luxury brands in 2026, emphasizing the shift from aspiration to accountability in the context of heightened sustainability expectations, regulatory pressures, and evolving consumer behavior. It presents insights from industry leaders across fashion, beauty, travel, and jewellery, highlighting the need for brands to adapt their approach to sustainability in order to maintain relevance and drive growth.

Main Viewpoints

• Trust is the new currency: Consumers are no longer satisfied with vague sustainability claims and are demanding transparency, proof, and evidence-based communication. Brands must demonstrate real impact, not just good intentions.
• Sustainability is a value engine: In a low-growth environment, sustainability is moving from a cost centre to a core driver of resilience, efficiency, and long-term value creation. It is increasingly viewed as a strategic capability, not just a compliance exercise.
• Transparency is operational: Traceability systems, such as Digital Product Passports (DPPs), are becoming essential for brands to meet consumer and regulatory expectations. Transparency is no longer a theoretical concept but a necessary operational function.

Key Information

1. Trust: Proof Over Promise

• Consumers are skeptical of empty claims and require clear, verifiable evidence of a brand's sustainability efforts.
• Trust is now built through transparency and confident, data-backed storytelling.
• Brands that fail to provide proof risk losing relevance, relationships, and revenue.

2. Value: From Volume to Excellence

• Sustainability is redefining value in luxury sectors, emphasizing quality, care, and longevity over quantity.
• In fashion, durable design and aftersales services are key to value creation.
• In beauty, the focus is on sustainable formulations and responsible end-of-use practices.
• In jewellery and watches, traceability and accountability at the mine level are critical for building consumer trust.

3. Transparency: Moving Upstream

• Brands must access, manage, and communicate reliable supply chain and product-level data.
• The rise of DPPs and traceability systems signals a shift towards operational transparency.
• Consumers expect integrated approaches that link traceability, compliance, and customer experience.

4. Communication: Evidence-Based Storytelling

• Greenwashing has led to "greenhushing," but silence is now perceived as avoidance.
• Confident and clear communication, supported by data and third-party verification, is a competitive advantage.
• Brands must move from claims to culture, demonstrating how sustainability shapes their operations and partnerships.

5. Strategic Imperatives for 2026

• Embrace supply chain transparency: Brands must provide clear, traceable information about their sourcing and production.
• Redefine sustainability as a value engine: Sustainability must be integrated into all aspects of the business to drive commercial performance.
• Simplify and clarify: Complexity is being replaced by clarity and authenticity, with simplicity becoming a marker of modern luxury.

Consumer Insights for 2026

• Consumers still care about sustainability but expect concrete evidence and are less tolerant of vague or abstract narratives.
• The use of AI in consumer decision-making is increasing the importance of machine-readable data and consistent storytelling.
• There is a growing preference for experiences, wellness, and meaning over ownership of luxury goods.
• Sustainability is increasingly linked to emotional and financial value, with consumers wanting to feel their purchases have a positive impact.

Sustainability as a Business Imperative

• Sustainability is no longer an initiative but a fundamental part of business strategy.
• It is being used as a lens for managing risk, securing supply, and enhancing customer relationships.
• The report highlights the need for brands to align values, governance, and operations with sustainability goals.

Sector-Specific Challenges

• Fashion: Brands must demonstrate tangible impact through durable design, repair, and resale.
• Beauty: Focus is on reducing waste and promoting responsible use and disposal of products.
• Jewellery & Watches: Traceability at the mine level is becoming the new standard.
• Premium Drinks & Travel: Provenance and regeneration are key, but must be communicated in a human, credible way.

Conclusion

In 2026, luxury brands that thrive will be those that can prove their sustainability efforts, simplify their narratives, and communicate with confidence. The industry is moving from vague promises to measurable outcomes, and brands that align with this shift will be better positioned to meet consumer expectations, enhance brand equity, and drive long-term growth.