While Forbes’s list of the world’s 100 most valuable brands was dominated by technology companies (Apple, Microsoft, Google et al) this year, there was only one fashion brand that joined the usual suspects in the top 20: step forward Louis Vuitton at number 14.
The inclusion of the LVMH-owned brand comes as a coup if not a surprise. Back in February the luxury conglomerate credited its creative director, Nicholas Ghesquière, with helping to increase the group’s revenue growth as a whole in 2014: “For Louis Vuitton, 2014 was characterised by strong creative momentum, dominated by the enthusiastic reception of Nicolas Ghesquière’s first runway shows and of the new products,” read a statement from the group at the time:
But what of the other fashion brands that made the top 100? Coming 19 places after Vuitton – and beating the upper echelons of luxury fashion industry by a considerable stretch – at number 33 is Swedish high-street chain H&M. The retailer reported profits of £284 million in its first quarter this year, up 36 per cent from the year before, crediting its “attractive customer offering and strong expansion both through stores and online” as the reason why.
Beyond that, the placement of fashion brands span the entire list, in an order that many would not have guessed. Gucci comes in at number 42; Hermes at 51; Cartier at 55; Zara at 58; Coach at 63; Rolex at 65; Prada at 74; Chanel at 85; and Ralph Lauren and Target at 89 and 92 respectively on the list that comprises 15 countries worldwide and 20 industry categories.
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