Demand for Hermes bags is booming despite the pandemic

The pandemic may have shut down galas, extravagant eating places and Caribbean getaway spots — but it has not come involving buyers and their Birkin luggage.

French handbag maker Hermes explained Friday that its basic Birkin and Kelly luggage — which market for $twenty,000 every on average — had been warm add-ons in the course of the holidays, aiding fuel a twelve.three per cent improve in fourth-quarter product sales to two.1 billion euros, or $two.54 billion.

That is despite the actuality that shoppers have been sorely deprived of areas to exhibit off their expensive add-ons. In truth, some analysts say handbags are benefiting as well-heeled people now have fewer areas to invest their money.

In a topsy-turvy browsing season, 184-yr-old Hermes seems to be getting a moment. Even with the coronavirus shuttering boutiques all over the world in 2020, Hermes explained its product sales dropped just 6 per cent on a currency-altered basis. That is vs . 16-per cent product sales drops at Kering, the proprietor of Gucci and LVMH, whose billionaire boss Bernard Arnault unsuccessful in a 2017 attempt to obtain Hermes in a hostile takeover.

“Gucci was getting the most amazing vogue moment when men and women had been out and about, there had been situations, openings, premieres to go to,” explained luxurious skilled Michele Ateyeh.

Although the iconic Italian label is known for its flashy colors and daring assertion pieces, Ateyeh explained Hermes luggage that have marketed well in the course of the pandemic are “classics that really don’t go out of design and style and that retain and even achieve worth in the resale market place.”

In truth, the most popular sellers have been basic colors which includes gray, black, gold, off-white and caramel, in accordance to Judy Taylor, proprietor of Madison Avenue Couture. The boutique marketed thirty-per cent additional Hermes luggage final yr than in 2019, fueling the greatest yr in its eleven-yr background.

“From Mother’s Day on, our business was soaring,” Taylor explained.

Even a 10- to twenty-per cent selling price improve for the retailer’s Hermes luggage did not dampen need. The average selling price for an Hermes bag cracked the $twenty,000 mark for the 1st time final yr, Taylor explained.

Hermes also benefitted from some totally free marketing as well, with rapper Cardi B. displaying off her closet full of Hermes luggage on Instagram in October and a submit in excess of the summer months in which she gave her two yr-old daughter Kulture an $eight,000 Birkin bag.

Actor Michael B. Jordan also uncovered that on Valentine’s Day he gave his girlfriend Lori Harvey shares in Hermes.

Hermes shares on Friday rose three per cent to near at $116.51.