Luxury travel, like fashion, has faced plenty of challenges in adapting to the online environment. This is especially true when it comes to distribution. Where traditional travel agents had to deal with Expedia and Priceline, luxury good retailers are
battling the giant that is Amazon.
In fashion, brands used to be able to communicate their values through the shopping experience, but for so many people (we're looking at you here, millennials) this just isn't the way they do things anymore.
Consolidation, arguably, makes this task even harder. Having multiple brands in your portfolio lets you take advantage of economies of scale but it can make it harder to differentiate — a problem shared by the
Marriott-Starwood merger and
French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH.
The challenges faced by both sectors are only going to grow. Are we going to see more mega-mergers or does it make sense for luxury brands to go it alone?