Poucas categorias de produtos e serviços são tão interessantes para os profissionais de marketing como os produtos de luxo. Esse interesse deriva da sua capacidade de corporificar significados sociais e individuais, bem como de sua carga simbólica e emocional. Admitindo que os objetos luxuosos expressem os desejos e emoções humanos, por meio deles pode-se conhecer um pouco dos valores, crenças e atitudes dos consumidores. Este trabalho tem por objetivo descrever aspectos do comportamento de consumidores brasileiros de produtos e/ou serviços de luxo ou sofisticados, em termos de atitudes, emoções e comportamento de consumo. Para atingir tal objetivo, partiu-se de um resumo dos conhecimentos teóricos já desenvolvidos sobre o tema, passando por aspectos de marketing específicos ao segmento e pelas descobertas de estudos empíricos sobre o comportamento dos consumidores com relação a produtos e serviços de luxo. Terminou-se com uma discussão sobre a proposta de valor das empresas atuantes no mercado do Novo Luxo. A segunda parte da dissertação compreende um estudo empírico quantitativo descritivo, com 290 consumidores brasileiros de marcas sofisticadas, visando a descrever suas atitudes, emoções e comportamento de consumo. O estudo de campo revelou a existência de três grupos com perfis diferenciados em termos de atitudes e crenças com respeito ao luxo. Os resultados também indicam que o consumo do luxo pode ser relacionado à tradição social, imagem ou expressão pessoal ou a um mecanismo de premiação. Buscou-se como contribuição acadêmica o enriquecimento dos conhecimentos teóricos sobre o assunto. As descobertas da pesquisa empírica podem também contribuir com as empresas para suas estratégias e programas de marketing. / Very few product and services categories are as interesting for marketing professionals as luxury products. Such interest derives from luxury\'s capacity of embodying both social and individual meanings, as well as symbolic and emotional content. Admitting that luxurious objects can express human wishes and emotions, they are able to reveal aspects of consumers´ values, attitudes and beliefs. The goal of this dissertation is to describe behavioral aspects of Brazilian consumers of luxury and upscale product and/or services, in terms of their attitudes, emotions and buying behavior. With this in mind, the work begins with a summary of the extant theoretical literature, including specific marketing aspects and the findings of empirical studies on luxury consumers´ behavior. It ends with a discussion of the value proposition of the New Luxury segment. The second part of this dissertation comprises a quantitative descriptive empirical study, with 290 Brazilian consumers of upscale brands, to describe their attitudes, emotions and consumption behavior. The field study revealed the existence of three groups differentiated according to their attitudes and beliefs toward luxury. The results also indicate that luxury consumption can be related to social tradition, personal image or expression or to compensation mechanisms. In terms of academic contribution, this dissertation seeks to enrich the extant knowledge on the theme. The findings of the empirical study can also help firms with their marketing strategy and programs.

The paper deals with the consumption of luxury goods in the People´s Republic of China. The main objective of this work is to clarify the reasons that have caused the strong advancement of the sector of luxury goods in China. Next, the thesis focuses on current trends that have been getting on pace. In the first two chapters the theoretical base for the entire thesis was provided.

The study investigated South African female consumers' purchase intent for luxury exotic leather accessories, with specific reference to exotic crocodile leather, as well as their perceived values of luxury exotic leather products and brands. A survey was conducted across South Africa that included representation of the following ethnic groups: African, White, Coloured, Asian and Indian. All the individuals surveyed were female. Consulta Research, a consumer research company, assisted the research study in collecting data. Data was collected by means of a non-probability convenient sampling method. Consulta Research distributed an online questionnaire to female participants on their database. Three hundred and thirty seven (337) usable questionnaires were completed and returned. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Spearman's correlation analysis and Cohen's d correlation analysis. All of the demographic and lifestyle characteristics were useful in describing the South African female consumer. The findings indicated that the majority of the respondents were not willing to spend market-related prices for genuine crocodile leather accessories. The study confirmed that luxury value perceptions may include five dimensions that are distinguished in literature, namely Social, Individual gifts, Individual pleasure, Financial, and Functional value perceptions. Functional value perceptions were found to be more important to South African respondents, although previous studies in other countries have shown that Social and Individual value perceptions are more important. According to the literature presented in the study, it was confirmed that purchasing intent is part of the decision-making process, since intention is evident in an individual's readiness to perform a given behaviour. The findings showed that South African female respondents have a weak Purchasing intent for exotic crocodile leather accessories. The study, however, also showed that in the future at some point a substantial percentage of respondents might buy (24.00% + 18.60% + 20.70%), have the intention to buy (23.40% + 17.50% + 21.30%) and have an interest to buy (23.10% + 17.80% + 18.90%) an exotic crocodile leather accessory. A high practical significance was also found for the correlation between Purchasing intent and Functional value perceptions. This might be an indicator of the important role that functionality would play in respondents' final decision to buy or not buy an exotic crocodile leather accessory. This has implications for industry stakeholders because Functional value perceptions, according to the study, can be described as superior quality, quality assurance, high quality standards and substantive attributes and performance factors. Therefore industry stakeholders within the luxury exotic crocodile leather industry, be it suppliers, manufacturers, breeders, farmers, retailers or marketers, should take these consumer values into consideration in order to maximise the ultimate value delivered by the supply chain. Various recommendations are made based on the findings of this study, to either expand or build onto this existing research. Topics related to luxury exotic crocodile leather accessories and luxury consumers in South Africa can definitely be explored further to fill the current gap in knowledge in this field. / Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Consumer Science / MConsumer Science / Unrestricted

Background The alarming speed of environmental degradation is enhancing the need to shift current production and consumption habits towards more sustainable ones. Luxury producers face the necessity to act following their responsibilities to stimulate sustainable sourcing, manufacturing, and marketing. Despite the sustainable trend, the concept of sustainable luxury is still developing. Current research on sustainable luxury mostly covers areas with limited to habituated decision-making cycles, that are rather short-lived.  Aim The thesis aims to explore the compatibility of luxury and sustainability within the automotive context and identify and understand ways to positively impact the consumer perceptions of sustainable luxury. Furthermore, insights into products that involve rather extensive decision-making cycles and highly impact the life of the consumers from a financial side are intended to be examined, by analyzing the perceptions of automotive customers.  Methodology By conducting a quantitative study, data provided by an international operating automotive manufacturer is analyzed. Further, a clustering method for customer segmentation is initially applied. Afterwards, the related results are used afterwards as basis for a moderation analysis. Findings The results indicate that luxury and sustainable are generally considered as compatible within the automotive industry, but that the degree to which this perception is translated into actual purchasing behavior differs based on the context of the situation and the offering. Further, there is evidence of the existing opportunity for cars manufacturers to actively influence and support the luxury perception of their products by putting emphasis on aspects that are important to the consumers and increase their willingness to buy sustainable luxury products

Purpose: the objective of this research is to get a better understanding of luxury consumption in today’s society and the connection to sustainability. Consumers are no longer asking but demanding more sustainable practices from the fashion industry, especially the fast-fashion companies, calling any minor error or threat of “Greenwashing” (Joshi and Rahman 2019). Although, when it comes to luxury brands the level of exigence seems to be different. The aim is to understand the influence of sustainability when consumers are acquiring new pieces, in particular luxury ones. The purpose is to answer in which ways these two concepts are affected by each other and consequently if they will affect the luxury consumers. Method: An inductive approach was used by the researchers. 15 semi structured interviews were conducted to people from 10 different countries with ages between 22 to 60. The duration of these interviews was between 20 to 45 minutes and a questionnaire was designed in order to have a structure but also new questions were made as follow up or elaboration on what interviewees mentioned, where particular themes are defined and the questions are formulated during the interviews to extract the desirable answers in accordance with the themes (Bryman et al. 2021). Findings: Six themes were detected after the analysis of the results. First, the contemporary luxury consumer situation, followed by the feelings that occur after consuming luxury fashion products where there are mixed emotions of pleasure and shame. In the same sector, the current brand perception, arised the conversation about the lack of brand love. From this angle, the mixed consumption patterns that revealed the emerging phenomenon of consuming both luxury and fast-fashion came to support the absence of brand love. Lastly, in the context of sustainability, the view of sustainability among luxury consumers and the transition to more sustainable practices in purchasing fashion products were the other two themes that were discovered. Managerial Implications: the matter of the absence of brand love seems of great significance for executives and managers in luxury brands. Another aspect is the fact that managers could further capitalise on the quality that is provided by their brands since all participants expressed their preference in luxury products attributable to their endurance, managers could make their pivotal point, in the marketing efforts, the exceptional quality. Another contribution to get a better insight to the people involved in the industry, from designers to managers is to obtain a deeper understanding on how much sustainability efforts could affect or benefit their business.

In recent years, the concept of environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility are crucial for consumers and companies. This thesis was made to explore and gain a better understanding in how luxury consumer evaluation of alternatives are manifested by luxury companies' environmental sustainable practices. To investigate this, the research question: How do a variety of factors, including environmental sustainability, manifest in consumers' evaluation of luxury brands and products? was formulated. A qualitative research method was used with semi-structured interviews together with an inductive approach. With purposive sampling, fourteen interviewees that have consumed or are consuming luxury fashion were participating to help us gather helpful information for our bachelor thesis. The information gathered from the participants were analysed with thematic analysis method and discussed in connection with the literature review. In the conclusion it is shown that durability and quality are important considerations when making purchases, with price sensitivity being more important for infrequent consumers. Evaluations must take into account both external and internal factors. Despite the fact that many customers consider themselves to be environmentally conscious, there is a disconnect between this belief and how they actually purchase luxury fashion. Future sustainability in the luxury market is, however, looked forward to with confidence as customers demand more environmental responsibility from companies.

The main aim of this diploma thesis is to suggest improvements of the marketing and business strategy of Kiehl's, a luxury skincare brand within the L'Oréal portfolio, in order to strengthen the brand's position on the Czech market. The theoretical part defines what luxury is and what the specific features of luxury brands are. Following is the overview of the luxury and cosmetics markets, describing the current situation and the trends. The next part depicts the business model of Kiehl's, the marketing strategy and the marketing tools that were used for the launch of the brand. Based on the findings in this thesis, a series of recommendations is suggested to build the brand's awareness, recruit new customers to the brand and increase sales.

The diploma thesis looks into luxury beauty industry. The aim is to define problem areas in the communication strategy of luxury cosmetics brand of specific company with a focus on sales promotion in a specific distribution channel and propose possible solutions for improvement based on the analysis. Verification of the problem and the recommendations for its improvement will take place on the basis of in-depth interview techniques, observation of merchandising in specific distribution chanel and focus group with consumers of the beauty brand.

This study explored South African female consumers’ value perceptions as well as their needs for traceable information on exotic crocodile leather accessories. The Wiedmann, Hennigs and Siebels' Luxury Value Perception Scale (2007) and the Consumer Decision-making Process (Solomon & Rabolt, 2004:354) served as conceptual framework for the study. A questionnaire was distributed across South Africa and completed by willing participants. All participants were South African citizens, females of varyin g cultural backgrounds, including: African, Caucasian, Indian, Asian and Coloured individuals. The Consulta Research (Pty) Ltd used their extensive database of female consumers for sampling purposes. They managed to collect three hundred and thirty seven (337) completed and usable questionnaires. The Spearman's Correlation Coefficient, descriptive statistics, as well as exploratory factor analysis were used for data analysis. The results indicate that respondents to this questionnaire were not willing to pay marketrelated prices for exotic crocodile leather accessories. Findings of this study uncovered five luxury value perceptions as opposed to the four originally recognised by Wiedmann et al. (2007), namely Functional, Social, Financial, Individual gifts and Individual pleasure value perceptions. Of these luxury value perceptions, respondents indicated that the functional value perception was the most important to them. Traceable intrinsic and extrinsic-related attributes which can have an impact on decision-making by consumers were also explored. Results indicate that respondents found intrinsic-related attributes moderately important when deciding to purchase an exotic crocodile leather accessory. With regard to extrinsic-related product attributes, results indicate that most respondents found these extrinsic-related attributes moderately important. The notable exception was the position brand-holders held on child labour, which was indicated as important by most respondents. Results further indicated weak-positive, but statistically highly significant relationships between functional value perceptions and the importance of intrinsic-related as well as extrinsic-related information. Weak-positive, but statistically highly significant relationships were also conversely found between financial value perceptions and the importance of intrinsic and extrinsic-related information. There was a weak but statistically highly significant relationship between the individual giftvalue perception and the importance of extrinsic-related information as well as, conversely, a weak-positive statistically significant relationship between individual gift-value perceptions and the importance of intrinsic-related information. Purchase intent is an important determinant when consumers make decisions. Research results for this study have, however, indicated that respondents had a weak purchase intent for exotic crocodile leather accessories. Most respondents reported that they would never, at any time, buy an exotic crocodile leather accessory. Neither would they at some stage have the intention to buy an exotic crocodile leather accessory, or have a purchase interest for an exotic crocodile leather accessory. Finally, results show that there was a weak-positive, but statistically highly significant relationship between the importance of extrinsic-related product attributes and purchase intent. Results of this study make positive contributions towards the decision-making of various role players within the exotic crocodile leather accessory industry. Role players such as farmers, manufacturers, distributers, retailers and marketers can all benefit from the results. Based on the results of this study, recommendations for industry and future research are made. / Dié studie ondersoek Suid-Afrikaanse vroueverbruikers se waardepersepsies asook hul behoeftes aan navolgbare inligting oor eksotiese krokodilleerbykomstighede. Die Wiedmann, Hennigs and Siebels's Luxury Value Perception Scale (2007) en The Consumer Decisionmaking Process (Solomon & Rabolt, 2004:354) dien as die konseptuele raamwerk vir dié studie. 'n Vraelys is dwarsoor Suid-Afrika versprei en voltooi deur vrywillige deelnemers. Alle respondente was Suid-Afrikaanse burgers, vroue van 'n verskeidenheid etniese herkomste, waarby ingesluit: Afrikaan, Kaukasiese, Indiese, en kleurlingindividue. Consulta Research (Pty) Ltd het van hul uitgebereide databasis van vroueverbruikers in hul steekproef gebruik gemaak. Hulle het daarin geslaag drie om honderd sewe en dertig (337) voltooide en bruikbare vraelyste te bekom. Die Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient se beskrywende statistiek en oorsigtelike faktore-ontleding is gebruik in die data-analiese. Die bevindings dui daarop dat respondente op die vraelys nié bereid is om markverwante pryse te betaal vir eksotiese krokodilleer-bykomstighede nie. Verdere bevindings in dié studie het vyf luukse waardepersies blootgelê, teenoor die vier aangedui deur Wiedmann et al. (2007), naamlik: Funksionele, Sosiale, Finansiële, Individuele geskenke, en Individuele plesierwaardepersepsies. Van dié luuksewaardepersepsies het respondente aangedui dat die funksionele waardepersepsie vir hulle die belangrikste is. Opspoorbare en navolgbare intrinsieke of ekstrinsieke eienskappe wat 'n invloed kan hê op die besluitnemening deur verbruikers was matig-belangrik in die besluitproses vir die aankoop van 'n eksotiese krokodilleerbykomstigheid. Met betrekking tot ekstrinsieke produkeienskappe, dui resultate daarop dat respondente grootliks hierdie ekstrinsieke eieskappe ook as matig-belangrik geag het. Die opmerklike uitsondering is beleidstandpunte wat handelsmerkeienaars ten opsigte van kinderarbeid handhaaf en wat as belangrik deur respondente bejeën is. Resultate dui verder daarop dat swak-positiewe, maar 'n statisties hoogs belangrike verband bestaan tussen fuksionele waardepersepsies en intrinsiek-verwante asook ekstrinsiekeverwante beskouings. Verder is ook aangedui dat hoogs belangrike verbande tussen finaniële waardepersepsies, individuele geskenkwaardepersepsies en die belangrikheid van intrinsieke en ekstrinsieke inligting teenwoordig is. Daar was 'n swak, maar hoogs belangrike verband tussen die indivuele geskenkwaardepersepsie en die belangrikheid van ekstrinsieke-verwante inligting asook die omgekeerde statisties-belangrike, swak-positiewe verband tussen individuele geskenkwaardepersepsies en die belangrikheid van intrinsiek-verwante inligting word beklemtoon. Die aankoopvoorneme is 'n belangrike oorweging in verbruikers se besluitneming. Resultate in hierdie studie, dui egter daarop dat verbruikers 'n swak aankoopvoorneme vir eksotiese krokodilleerbykomstighede het. 'n Meerderheid van die respondente het aangedui dat hulle nooit 'n bykomstigheid van krokodilleer sal koop nie. Verder sal hulle in geen stadium enige voorneme koester om 'n krokoldilleerbykomstigheid aan te skaf of belangstel om só 'n produk te bekom nie. Laastens dui resultate op 'n swak-positiewe, maar statisties hoogsbetekenisvolle verband tussen die belangrikheid van ekstrinsieke produkeieskappe en koopvoorneme. Resulate van dié studie maak 'n positiewe bydrae tot die besluitneming van verskeie rolspelers binne die eksotiese krokodilleer-industrie. Rolspelers soos boere, vervaardigers, verspreiders, handelaars en bemarkers kan almal baat vind by dié bevindings. Sleutelwoorde: Vroueverbruiker van luukse bykomstighede; industrie vir luukse krolodilleerbykomstighede; luuksewaardepersepsies; intrinsieke produkeienskappe; ekstrinsieke produkeienskappe; aankoopvoorneme. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Consumer Science / MConsumer Science / Unrestricted

Modeindustrins lyxvarumärken har, trots sina avantgardistiska och flamboyanta förknippningar, ett varaktigt rykte om att vara konservativt inställda till förändringar av sina väletablerade affärsmodeller. Den digitala disruptionen som internets framfart innebar för modedetaljhandeln omfamnades likaså inte av lyxsegmentet förrän långt efter att resten av modeindustrin redan insett näthandelns enorma affärsmöjligheter. Det är dock inte utan giltiga argument som lyxvarumärkena ställt sig skeptiska till att anamma den här "nymodigheten". Att förvalta den sociokulturella signifikansen av varumärkets identitet är instrumentellt för lyxvarumärkens fortsatta framgång, och att överföra ett flera decennier gammalt brick-and-mortar-koncept till världen online är inte riskfritt. Förändringen står dock inte längre för dörren, utan har oblygt gjort sig hemmastadd. Således syftar den här studien till att undersöka hur modeföretag inom lyxsegmentet använder marknadsföringsmedel (exempelvis bildspråk, narrativ, layout) i sin cultural branding online för att upprätthålla sin brand identity. För att kvalitativt studera fenomenet har en netnografiskt inspirerad metod tillämpats bestående av att observera ett urval hemsidor från lyxvarumärken av akademiker klassade som accessible core. Analytiskt intressant ansågs på förhand hemsidornas visuella identitet, bildspråk, narrativa stilgrepp och layout vara, med grund i tidigare forskning. Det här informerade således fokuset för insamlingen av materialet som sedan analyserades tematiskt. Resultatet visade att narrativa marknadsföringsstrategier är olika avsett vilken typ av varumärke och i vilken utsträckning narrativen kommuniceras. En introduktion av komponenterna i webbdesign presenteras som viktiga för att skapa en estetik som upprätthåller ett varumärkes identitet online. Resultaten indikerar vidare att narrativ och webbdesign görs kongruenta genom konsekvent användning av antingen en minimalistisk eller maximalistisk designfilosofi. Avslutningsvis diskuteras resultatets funna teman i kontrast mot tidigare forskning såväl som teoretiska och praktiska följder, samt rekommendationer för framtida forskning. / Despite over-the-top aesthetics and an outward image dressed in glitz and glamour the luxury fashion industry is deeply rooted in a culture of careful conservatism. For the individual au fait with this internal culture, the industry-wide resistance to the digitalisation of a centuries old business model was not unexpected. Yet, survival is to adapt. Today e-luxury within fashion is mainstream. However, becoming mainstream does not presuppose that the risks sceptics forewarned of regarding luxury fashion going online were invalid. The fear of once prestigious and culturally significant brands being watered down when translated into a more populist forum like the internet is not without warrant. In this netnographically inspired study, the authors employed the theory of cultural branding by Douglas Holt when analysing the websites of three luxury brands within the fashion industry to determine what marketing strategies are used by the industry to sustain one’s brand identity. Results indicate that narrative strategies are diverse concerning what kind of material and to what extent stories are communicated. Also, the components of web design most important in creating an aesthetic that enforces a brand’s identity online are presented. Results further indicate that narrative and web design are made congruent through the consistent use of either a minimalist or maximalist approach. To conclude, the authors of the study theorise on the academic as well as practical implications of our results, as well as providing recommendations for future research. This thesis is written in Swedish.