Cheap Gifts For Her

Priding itself as the affordable luxury brand, Coach recently opened its first flagship store in Southeast Asia at the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur with much fanfare.

Some say that buying a US$10,000 (RM34,000) Coach alligator handbag is a stupid waste of money.

Despite this, the brand’s exotic alligator and python bags in the higher end price range are the fastest growing part of its business in the United States while its regular leather goods are selling well all over the world and even inspiring knock-offs.

Consumers are so willing to pay for something that’s special and unique. On the average, a Coach carrier costs RM1,500.

The boutique offers pinnacle products such as the limited edition Legacy Thompson satchel of which only 25 were specially made for the Pavilion store with each individually numbered for added exclusivity.

In just three years of opening its first boutique in Suria KLCC, the brand has become among the top three in Malaysia and number two, behind Louis Vuitton, in Japan. When the New York-born brand first entered the Japanese market in 1988, it recognised the opportunity for an accessible luxury label.

In Malaysia, there’s an emerging middle and upper-middle class that’s ideally suited as a target for Coach products.There’s also a growing number of working women with a high disposable income looking for something to enhance their lifestyle.

There has been consumer research done on people who visit the flagship boutiques and if consumers haven’t bought Coach before, they’re more likely to purchase one for the first time. So, it generates trial and positive brand perception, and it also attracts a younger and more fashionable customer.

China is an obvious strategic market and has the potential to become a large part of the brand’s business. Within the next 10 to 15 years, China could rival Japan in terms of market share.

As for Russia, the brand’s first boutique is expected to open in Moscow in spring next year. “It’s going to be an exciting place to do business.

India is also in the pipeline but there’s a lot of infrastructure and expertise that need to be built in the local market. But don’t be surprised to find a made-in-India tag in Coach’s products that may include small leather goods, footwear, men’s accessories, clothes, sunglasses, watches, jewellery, travel goods and perfume.

Apparently, the bags are made in 17 different countries around the world using the finest leathers and materials from North America and European tanneries.

Most of the hardware comes from places in Asia. A considerable amount of assembling work is done in China and other countries where the best craftsmen are.

Because the brand uses the best materials and makes the products in countries where it is cost-efficient, Coach is able to pass on that savings to the consumer and offer luxury items at reasonable prices.

Today’s younger and evolving clients are really less concerned about where products are made. What’s more important is the brand and product quality. The Japanese are among the most discerning consumers in the world and look at how successful Coach is there.

In fact, based on Coach’s success, many high end European brands are now looking actively or are already making their products in countries like China and Turkey.