A change is coming as Alessandro Michele joins Valentino
By Marco Passoni Although it was in the air, the news broke just before the weekend that Alessandro Michele has found his new home after leaving Gucci late last in 2022. Despite rumours linking him to Fendi and Bulgari, he begins his new role as Creative Director at Valentino today. It is a decision which […]
The keys to unlocking a desirable and engaging brand experience in 2024
By Marco Passoni There is no doubt that brands are working hard in both the luxury and travel retail sectors in 2024, but I increasingly find myself asking if, in travel retail certainly, they are working in the right way. Or even, are some working as hard as they claim? Think back to your last […]
Louis Vuitton The Place and why in-store experience needs some real innovation
By Marco Passoni Is there a better example of a brilliant physical retail experience than LV The Place from Louis Vuitton, which opened its doors in Bangkok last week? Not merely a restaurant, bar, or a run-of-the-mill luxury store, this stunning space breaks down and disregards traditional boundaries to embody elements of each in what […]
Race to the top: Why travel retail is running out of space for luxury’s biggest players
By Marco Passoni There is a problem coming in the travel retail luxury sector – and it is hiding in plain sight. Luxury has never been more important to travel retail and brands of all sizes are recognising the vital role this market can play in their global storytelling and engagement efforts. On the surface, […]
Why these 6 brands are doing Chinese New Year right in 2024
By Marco Passoni Chinese New Year has become one of the biggest retail opportunities of the year. It is a time when the Chinese travel and shop in great quantities – and before the pandemic it was a vital period for travel retail and luxury alike. This year, with almost 12 months gone since the […]
What sets truly great brand experiences apart in 2024?
The latest edition of the Lyst Index has recently been released and, as always, I found it made for interesting reading. The list, which is a ranking of fashion’s “hottest” brands and products is a measuring stick of which brands are doing well – and what it is that sets them apart in the market. […]
Dolce & Gabbana expands travel retail presence with new store openings in Rome and Shanghai
Dolce & Gabbana has created two new exciting retail experiences for travelling shoppers as the iconic luxury brand opened new stores at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Rome Fiumicino International Airport. Both stores are standalone and directly operated, in line with the brand’s development model in the travel retail market. This allows Dolce & Gabbana […]
Harnessing co-creation: 5 collaborations travel retail can learn something from
By Marco Passoni Collaboration has been a topic of conversation for a few years now, but I am predicting that it will be a real buzzword throughout 2024 – and it needs to be if we are to take travel retail to the heights it should reach in the months and years ahead. In the […]
An honest look at China’s future for luxury and travel retail
By Marco Passoni The luxury market in China is set to grow between 4 and 6% this year, from a starting point of $63 billion, which appears to be good news for both the luxury market and the travel retail sector. I have been accused in the past of being a doubter on China, but […]
Excellence or Death: Why travel retail must bank on branding in 2024
By Marco Passoni Branding is going to be one of the big words for 2024, in both luxury and travel retail. The term has been increasingly important in recent years, as authenticity and engagement have come to the fore in the retail space, but in 2024, we are going to see the demand for legitimate […]
