VI. Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q

Why Luxury under spotlight of sustainability?

A
  • Seen as unnecessary consumption
  • Symbol of consumerism
  • Make inequalities visible
  • Fashion industry perceived as 2nd most polluting industry
  • Luxury industry is visible target = Digitalization expands reach/ Growth of industry and brands/ Internationalization
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2
Q

Definition sustainability

A
  • Meeting needs of the present

- Embrace ability of future generations to meet their own needs

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3
Q

Triple bottom line

A
  • Economic profitability
  • Respect for the environment
  • Social responsibility
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4
Q

Are luxury and sustainability compatible?

A
  • Yes = 1. Timeless design/ 2. Durability/ 3. High quality of product/ 4. Craftmanship/ 5. Authenticity/ 6. Heritage
  • No = 1. Spending beyond necessities/ 2. Based on inequalities/ 3. Rarity endanger rare species & materials/ 4. Financially driven luxury groups
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5
Q

Why is sustainability key for luxury?

A
  • Growing environmental and societal pressure
  • Increasingly demanded by young consumers (WTP 10% higher)
  • Luxury products act often as industry models
  • Sustainability provides opportunity for innovation
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6
Q

Why was it difficult for Luxury brands to be sustainable?

A
  • Few synergies across brands
  • Each brand has own control/ audit mechanisms
  • Independence of the Maisons (Häuser) to protect aura
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7
Q

How can luxury brands be more sustainable?- Example LVMH

A
  • LIFE (LVMH Initiatives for the environment)
  • LIFE responsible to integrate sustainable development in all LVMH Maisons (Häuser)
  • LIFE 4 objectives = 1. Improving environmental performance/ 2. High standards in procurement chain/ 3. Improving environmental performance indicators on all sites/ 4. Reduce CO2 Emissions
  • Launch of climate week & life 360 program = Use of eco design/ Repair services/ Packaging without plastic
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8
Q

Certification in the case of the watch sector

A
  • Certification regarding ethical supply chain for metals (Gold, Silver, Diamonds)
  • Creation of the Responsible Jewelry Council (LVMH, Omega, Cartier, Chopard)
  • Carla Riccoboni = Saving prototypes to construct the moulds instead of disposal
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9
Q

3 circular economy pillars

A
  • Regenerate natural systems
  • Design out waste and pollution
  • Keep products and materials in use
  • All leading to a shift in the system
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10
Q

Circular Luxury types

A
  • Second-hand luxury
  • Renting models
  • Recycling = E.G Aurate
  • Upcycling
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11
Q

Second-hand luxury ´

A
  • Tiny part of fashion market only 2%/ Growing market
  • Big retailers for high-end second-hand clothes and handbags = TheRealReal in US/ Vestiaire in EU
  • Brands are developing own second-hand offer = Farfetch
  • Brands are partnering with second-hand companies = Gucci with TheRealReal
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12
Q

Renting

A
  • Decrease the demand for new clothing
  • Provide customers with access to a variety of clothes
  • Consideration of changing customer needs = Fast evolving fashion preferences
  • Short-term usage allowed
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13
Q

Upcycling

A
  • Transformation of unwanted products into high-value items that would otherwise be thrown away
  • E.G. Chloe recycled bag between 2500-3100€
  • Pro = Helps overcome sourcing issues caused by C-19/ Growing demand/ Buyers good conscious/ Craftmanship feeling
  • Con = Costly because labour-intensive/ Necessity to redesign every piece
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14
Q

What should brands communicate?

A
  • Not scaring customers
  • Alter the story according to sustainability efforts
  • Creating a new concept of luxury
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15
Q

Burberrys actions with respect to stock destruction

A
  • Said that only items with its trademark were destroyed

- Said that cause are license issues with beauty company Coty

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16
Q

Reasons why luxury fashion brands destroy excess stock

A
  • Less costly/ time than recycling
  • Financial benefits = Import tax recovery
  • Maintaining exclusivity through perceived rarity = No outlet sells/ No items stolen or resold
  • No obligation to disclose how unsold products are handled
17
Q

How to evaluate Burberrys actions with respect to reporting on its actions?

A
  • Transparent = Reported destruction in annual report/ Unique in the luxury industry
  • Not transparent = Missed an opportunity to take leadership/ Greenwashing?
18
Q

What should Burberry do in terms of their consumer base?

A
  • Ignore sustainability expectations = Asia most important region in terms of sales
  • Partially answering expectations = Not all customers value sustainability the same way
  • Making sustainability part of core strategy = Stay relevant/ Avoid crisis/ Ahead of regulatory changes/ Keep favor of investors
19
Q

How can Burberry manage the tension between luxury and sustainability?

A
  • Decreasing overproduction and increasing rarity
  • Transforming customers desires
  • Creating a new narrative = Link between heritage and sustainability
  • Using sustainability to innovate/ increase margins/ provide high quality
20
Q

Limits of sustainability in Luxury

A
  • For some luxury sectors impossible
  • Risk of greenwashing
  • Financial bottom line has to be respected
  • Tension between exclusivity and sustainability