NEW YORK—Those lucky enough to own the world’s most expensive designer handbags value the beauty of a craftsmanship that can only be found in truly high-end brands. To maintain this quality and its associated exclusivity, elite brands have for decades restricted sales to their highly controlled high-end brick-and-mortar boutiques.
Service at prestigious retailers is dedicated to customers with high net wealth. The sales representatives, who work on commission, are known for trying to ascertain whether the client has sufficient means to purchase, and then treating target clients like royalty. This makes sense as high-end apparel and accessories cost thousands of dollars per item.
The masses in China can obtain prestigious and exclusive brands, both authentic and counterfeit, at a fraction of the price.
