Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Luxury Brand Market Entry Feasibility Study in Asia-Pacific
     Mark Bridges    |    Feasibility Study


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Feasibility Study to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR A luxury fashion house aimed to expand into the Asia-Pacific region but faced challenges related to consumer behavior and regulatory complexities. The company successfully captured a 12% market share in its first year and improved brand recognition, yet profitability remains a concern, highlighting the need for refined market strategies and risk assessments.

Reading time: 8 minutes

Consider this scenario: A luxury fashion house, with a strong presence in European and American markets, is looking to expand into the Asia-Pacific region.

The organization needs to assess the feasibility of this new market entry, considering the unique consumer behavior, regulatory landscape, and competitive environment of the luxury sector in this geography. The company aims to establish a sustainable and profitable operation that aligns with its brand identity and global business objectives while navigating the complexities of the Asia-Pacific luxury market.



Upon reviewing the situation, it appears that the organization may be facing challenges related to market understanding, brand positioning, and operational scalability. Hypotheses include a potential misalignment between the brand's identity and the expectations of Asia-Pacific consumers, underestimation of the regulatory hurdles, and a lack of localized market entry strategy.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

The strategic analysis and execution of the feasibility study will follow a proven 5-phase methodology known for its effectiveness in luxury brand market entries. This process, often adopted by leading consulting firms, ensures a thorough understanding of the new market and a strategic plan that is both actionable and aligned with the company's core values.

  1. Market Analysis and Consumer Insights: The first phase involves gathering detailed market data and consumer insights to understand the demand dynamics, consumer preferences, and purchasing behavior specific to the Asia-Pacific luxury market. Key activities include market sizing, segmentation, and trend analysis.
  2. Regulatory and Competitive Landscape Review: This phase assesses the regulatory requirements for market entry and evaluates the competitive environment. It involves identifying potential barriers to entry, analyzing competitor strategies, and understanding the legal framework.
  3. Brand Positioning and Value Proposition Development: In this critical phase, we tailor the brand's value proposition to resonate with the target audience in the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring cultural relevance and competitive differentiation.
  4. Go-to-Market Strategy Formulation: Here, we establish a comprehensive go-to-market strategy that includes pricing, distribution channels, marketing, and sales plans tailored to the new market context.
  5. Financial Modeling and Risk Assessment: The final phase involves developing a financial model to project revenues, costs, and profitability. A risk assessment is also conducted to identify potential financial and operational risks associated with the market entry.

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Feasibility Study Implementation Challenges & Considerations

When approaching a new market, executives often question the scalability of the proposed strategy and its alignment with the company's global brand image. It is crucial to devise a market entry plan that is flexible enough to adapt to local nuances without diluting the brand's core values. Ensuring operational scalability while maintaining brand consistency is a delicate balance that requires careful planning and execution.

Another common concern is the return on investment and the time frame for profitability. A luxury brand's market entry into Asia-Pacific should expect to achieve a positive ROI within the first 3-5 years, with a strategic focus on brand equity and customer loyalty leading to long-term profitability.

Implementation challenges may include navigating the complex regulatory environment, establishing supply chain operations that meet the brand's quality standards, and recruiting talent that aligns with the brand's culture and service excellence.

Feasibility Study KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


Without data, you're just another person with an opinion.
     – W. Edwards Deming

  • Market Share Growth: Indicates the brand's penetration and acceptance in the new market.
  • Brand Recognition and Recall: Measures the effectiveness of marketing and brand positioning strategies.
  • Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty Index: Reflects the brand's success in delivering a customer experience that resonates with the target audience.
  • Operational Efficiency Ratios: Tracks the effectiveness of supply chain and operational processes in the new market.

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

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Implementation Insights

During the implementation of the market entry strategy, it is often observed that brands with a strong digital presence tend to outperform peers who rely solely on traditional retail. According to McKinsey, digital sales for luxury brands in Asia-Pacific have grown by 50% in the past year, highlighting the importance of an omnichannel approach.

Additionally, partnerships with local influencers and celebrities can significantly boost brand visibility and desirability among the target consumer base. A Bain & Company report states that influencer endorsements can lead to a 25% increase in consumer engagement for luxury brands in the region.

Understanding local consumer behavior is paramount. For instance, a Gartner analysis revealed that luxury consumers in Asia-Pacific value exclusivity and personalization, suggesting that bespoke services and limited edition products can be effective in attracting high-value customers.

Feasibility Study Deliverables

  • Market Entry Feasibility Report (PDF)
  • Consumer Behavior Analysis (PowerPoint)
  • Competitive Landscape Overview (PDF)
  • Go-to-Market Strategic Plan (PowerPoint)
  • Risk Assessment Document (PDF)
  • Financial Projections Model (Excel)

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Feasibility Study Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Feasibility Study. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Feasibility Study subject matter experts.

Feasibility Study Case Studies

A prominent European luxury brand successfully entered the Japanese market by aligning with local tastes and preferences while maintaining its global brand essence. They achieved a 30% increase in market share within the first two years.

An American luxury retailer expanded into South Korea by leveraging a digital-first strategy, resulting in a 40% growth in online sales and a significant boost in overall brand awareness.

A luxury watchmaker established a strong presence in China by partnering with local artisans and incorporating traditional Chinese elements into their designs, leading to a 35% increase in sales among affluent Chinese consumers.

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Market Analysis and Consumer Insights Precision

The precision of market analysis and consumer insights is critical for a luxury brand entering a new market. It is essential to not only understand the demographic and economic factors but also to delve into the psychographic and behavioral nuances of the target consumer. Luxury brands must tailor their offerings to the sophisticated tastes of Asia-Pacific consumers, who are increasingly seeking personalized and exclusive experiences. According to a report by Deloitte, 58% of luxury purchases in the Asia-Pacific region are influenced by personalized consumer engagement.

This indicates that a deep-dive into local consumer preferences is not just beneficial, but necessary for crafting a brand presence that resonates with the market. The use of advanced analytics and consumer research techniques, such as ethnographic studies and sentiment analysis, can uncover the subtle cultural influences that drive purchase decisions. These insights will inform product offerings, marketing strategies, and customer service excellence, ensuring that the brand's entry is not just noticed, but embraced by the target audience.

Adaptation to Local Regulatory and Competitive Dynamics

Adapting to the local regulatory environment and competitive dynamics is a complex yet unavoidable aspect of entering a new market, particularly in the luxury sector. The regulatory framework in Asia-Pacific countries can significantly differ from Western markets, with unique challenges such as import tariffs, consumer protection laws, and intellectual property rights. A study by PwC highlights that regulatory compliance is one of the top concerns for luxury brands, with 47% of companies viewing it as a significant barrier to market entry.

To navigate these challenges, it is advisable to engage with local legal experts and consider forming strategic alliances or partnerships that can offer insights and facilitate smoother market entry. Understanding the competitive landscape is equally important. The Asia-Pacific region is home to domestic luxury brands that have a strong local following and understanding of the market. By analyzing these competitors, a new entrant can identify gaps in the market and opportunities for differentiation. This strategic positioning is vital to gaining a competitive advantage in a crowded marketplace.

Scalability and Consistency Across Markets

Ensuring scalability and consistency across different markets is a delicate balancing act for luxury brands. While scalability is crucial for business growth, maintaining brand consistency is vital for protecting and enhancing brand equity. A Bain & Company report suggests that for 60% of luxury consumers, brand consistency is a key driver of loyalty and trust. Therefore, while adapting to local preferences is important, it is critical to ensure that these adaptations do not dilute the core brand identity.

To achieve this, luxury brands should consider establishing centralized brand guidelines that define the brand's DNA while allowing for local customization. The brand should leverage global best practices in operational excellence and supply chain management to ensure that the quality and service associated with the brand remain uncompromised. Additionally, training and development programs for local teams can help imbue them with the brand's values and service standards, ensuring a consistent brand experience globally.

Return on Investment and Profitability Time Frame

Understanding the expected return on investment and the time frame for profitability is a top priority for executives considering market entry. According to McKinsey, luxury brands can expect the initial investment in a new market entry to break even within four years, with profitability hinging on effective brand positioning and market penetration strategies. However, it is important to set realistic expectations and understand that building a luxury brand's presence in a new market is a long-term investment.

Financial modeling and sensitivity analysis can help predict various scenarios and prepare for market fluctuations. Moreover, setting up local partnerships and exploring digital channels can accelerate market penetration and reduce initial investment costs. By adopting a phased market entry approach, luxury brands can manage investments and risks more effectively, allowing for gradual expansion as the brand gains recognition and market share. This strategic patience is often rewarded with a loyal customer base and sustainable profitability in the long run.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Successfully gained a 12% market share within the first year of market entry, exceeding initial projections.
  • Increased brand recognition and recall by 20% through effective marketing and brand positioning strategies.
  • Achieved a customer satisfaction and loyalty index of 85%, indicating strong resonance with the target audience.
  • Improved operational efficiency ratios by 15% through effective supply chain and operational processes.

The initiative has yielded notable successes, including surpassing market share projections and enhancing brand recognition and customer loyalty. The achieved market share growth and operational efficiency improvements demonstrate the effectiveness of the market entry strategy. However, the brand's profitability within the expected time frame remains a challenge, as the initial investment has not yet broken even. This could be attributed to the longer-than-anticipated period required for brand equity and customer loyalty to translate into significant financial returns. Alternative strategies such as more aggressive digital sales expansion and localized product offerings could have potentially accelerated profitability. Additionally, a more comprehensive risk assessment could have better prepared the organization for the extended timeline to profitability.

Considering the results and challenges, the next steps should focus on refining the go-to-market strategy to expedite profitability, potentially through increased digital sales and localized product offerings. Furthermore, conducting a thorough reassessment of financial projections and risk factors, while exploring partnerships with local influencers, could enhance the brand's market position and accelerate financial returns.

Source: AI Integration Strategy for Robotics in Healthcare Market, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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