WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE THE GREATEST CHALLENGES FACING THE SECTOR OR INDUSTRY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPECIALIZE IN AT IE? WHAT ROLE DO YOU HOPE TO BE ABLE TO PLAY IN THIS SECTOR OR INDUSTRY IN THE MEDIUM TERM?

4. This growth has been mainly
driven by the BRIC countries,
most notably China, where
luxury Brands have been
heavily investing to expand
their retail presence.

6. SLOW
DOWN
After years of continuous growth the first
signs of slow down have arisen along with
a potential move away from this aggressive
expansion.

7. Several data has proven that
consumer spending on luxury
apparel has in fact started to
decrease as of 2012.

8. The reasons behind this slow
down are multiple,
however the following are the
ones which I believe have played a
key role:

9. INACCESSIBLE REAL ESTATE:
• unavailable space
• inappropriate and unaffordable
locations

11. LEGISLATION CONSTRAINTS:
• limitations in foreign direct investments
• brands forced to open with local partners
which results in lack of consumer education
and low brand awareness

12. SHIFT IN CONSUMER TASTE:
• consumers craving brands they can afford
and opt to ‘mix-and-match’ high street items
with luxury accessories

13. ON LINE EXPANSION:
• price comparability and
full transparency
• on-line purchase which in
some cases has enabled
consumers to avoid paying
local taxes

14. Although the slow down of the luxury retail
business is not dramatic, there is now a need
for those managing the companies to sit
down and carefully elaborate the next steps
in terms of investments and opportunities.
This is key for this industry to keep
sustaining growth at the pace which it has
been used to throughout the past years.

16. I consider luxury retail
expansion as a territory
where opportunities can
be created and where
the challenge is to be
capable to play an
entrepreneurial role
within a wider
company, identifying
solutions which have not
been considered by
others.

17. With this in mind
3 are the objectives I
would like to pursue
in this industry within
the medium term:

18. Play an active role in a business, taking
decisions on:
• how to further expand in new emerging
markets by analysing the risks and
opportunities faced
• how to continue to grow in existing
markets by evaluating new ways of
attracting consumers

19. Follow each operation throughout:
• initial business assessments
• plans’ implementation and analysis
• share and reapply learning

20. Be recognized as an expert in this
segment and have a chance to be re-
integrated back into a family business
which has been sold to a big luxury group
around ten years ago.

21. My hope is therefore that through
undertaking an MBA I will be able
to continue to build on my
knowledge and passion for the
luxury business whilst
familiarizing with all the tools
needed to succeed in the retail
expansion industry.