A Tiffany collection will be sold on Tmall in an exclusive pre-release as the US jeweller embraces the leading Chinese platform.
Tiffany & Co will launch its latest “Tiffany Paper Flowers” collection in China exclusively on the Luxury Pavilion, Tmall’s invite-only platform for luxury brands.
A virtual pop-up store has opened on the Pavilion, giving customers a two-week head-start to purchase the new collection before it hits brick-and-mortar stores in China on September 1.
During the pop-up, Tiffany is using augmented reality-powered technology to engage China’s tech-savvy consumers, as well as offer perks to top shoppers in the platform’s loyalty program, the Luxury Pavilion Club. Select members can receive rewards, including a high-end delivery experience and an invitation to an exclusive party in Shanghai to celebrate the collection’s official launch next month, with complimentary stays at the St Regis Shanghai hotel.
The Pavilion pop-up is the latest experiential campaign Tiffany has rolled out globally to engage younger consumers. The brand gave New York bodegas, taxis and steps to the NYC Metro a “Tiffany blue” paint job and opened a new concept shop in London that features a fragrance vending machine and a personalisation bar for on-the-spot jewellery engraving.
“Today’s Chinese consumer has many choices when purchasing luxury goods,” said Philippe Galtie, executive VP of global sales at Tiffany & Co. “[We are] embracing China’s digital innovation as we continue to seek new platforms to deliver a seamless experience to customers in China and around the world.”
The brand’s platinum-and-diamond range, designed by new chief artistic officer Reed Krakoff, includes necklaces, pendants and bracelets inspired by the idea of flower petals cut from paper and delicately pinned back together.
Catering specifically to the Pavilion’s high-end Chinese consumers, Tiffany has selected eight pieces from Krakoff’s new collection to launch on the platform. Prices range from RMB22,400 ($3253) to RMB673,000 ($97,926).
Tiffany reported a strong first quarter, which it said was fuelled by China-led growth in Asia and strong sales in North America. Worldwide net sales rose 15 per cent to $1 billion, with sales growth in the Asia-Pacific market growing 28 per cent to $329 million.
Chinese consumers, particularly millenials, currently account for the lion’s share of sales growth for an industry that is expected to reach $444 billion globally in 2025, according to a June report from management consulting firm Bain & Company.
“Chinese consumers continue to stand out as a growth-driver for the industry and are more fashion-savvy and digitally advanced than ever before, accelerating the shift of the industry to the millennial state of mind,” wrote lead author of the study, Claudia D’Arpizio.
Last year, Chinese consumers represented 32 per cent of global luxury consumption, Bain estimated.
Nearly half of Pavilion shoppers were born after 1990, with millennials making up its core consumer base, said Lili Chen, GM of the Luxury Pavilion.
“The Pavilion is not only a shopping platform for luxury goods, but a unique, single destination for luxury, high fashion and lifestyle,” she said. “It is the ideal platform for brands to speak to younger customers.”
Launched in August last year, the Luxury Pavilion now offers nearly 70 brands, including Burberry, Versace, Moschino, Marni, Tod’s, Giuseppe Zanotti, Qeelin, MCM, La Perla, La Mer, Maserati, LVMH-owned Guerlain, Givenchy, Tag Heuer and Zenith. Products range from apparel and beauty items to watches and luxury cars.
