Three steps to execute an augmented retail strategy in the luxury goods industry

“Some made it and some didn’t. […] But we are seeing a tightening of the market and that will help people feel closer to their brands.”

The data is to be found online, say, in social media chats, but also in-store. Take Chanel Couture’s experiment. Absent from the online selling space, Chanel has created an experience via an app in which clients have their QR code scanned by salespeople.

At 19 rue Cambon 1, Paris, special mirrors in the dressing rooms are connected with the digital identity of the customer, enabling garments and combinations to be suggested based on tastes and preferences.

Farfetch is reportedly considering offering this “physical cookie” solution to other luxury fashion brands. The more feedback given by clients, the more the technology can be shaped by their idiosyncrasies and the more meaningful in-store interactions can become.

Understand now, sell later

Progressive luxury retailers are swapping their “let’s sell at all costs now” attitude to one that focuses on engaging with the four out of five people who, on average, do not buy at the moment.

They want to understand their customers and convert them later, marking a shift away from today’s transaction towards context-relevant relationships and intelligent conversations.

According to Antonio Carriero, Breitling’s Chief Digital Officer, it all starts by making sure you acquire customer data even if the customer does not buy right away. This might be easier online, but it is all too often overlooked in store.

Data allows you to connect with your customer via newsletters and targeted advertising, and then measure the impact and tailor the approach in a way that sooner or later converts the prospect. With this approach, Breitling has been able to grow its conversion rate of non-buyers to 60%.

Breitling and Van Cleef & Arpels have been growing so fast in the last few years precisely because they have been doggedly building their customer relationship management and databases over time.

From a culture of perfection to one of excellence

Luxury has traditionally been obsessed with perfection. But, often, the cost of perfection is rigidity. Owing to customers’ more complex lifestyles, brands need to be able to adapt more than before.

Building a culture of excellence is, therefore, safer for luxury retailers going forward. And it is defined by empowering frontline employees to adapt whilst still delivering the outstanding experience luxury should be about.

Successful empowerment is based on trust. So how do you achieve that? First, as a leader, you need to create a frame — some general rules within which employees can experiment and adapt. But you must revisit those rules regularly.

Another instance of trust building is expertise. Thus, according to Philippe Tardivel, Hublot’s Marketing Director, brands and retailers alike need to up their game and invest in digital talent acquisition.

And a third lever for the same is to create an organization in which information is shared and there is tight collaboration. Clymer makes the point that content experts need not be sales experts, but that collaboration when necessary between the two got Hodinkee growing.

Adaptability prevails in luxury’s new culture of excellence in a bid to maintain the creation of state-of-the art experiences consistent with luxury, while getting rid of the fear of experimenting and adapting.

It’s a big leadership shift but ultimately it is the only way to attract top talent in the retail arena.

Professor Stéphane J.G. Girod’s forthcoming book, Resetting Management, explores these topics in greater depth and business agility more widely. It is available at Amazon.