Hey Everyone - I’ve had loads of you leaving me comments about the rumoured CHANEL May 2020 Price increase. Some of you have been reporting increases of between 7% and 17%! So I’ve investigated a little, as well as speaking to my S.A in London and this vid contains the info I’ve found. *My thoughts on why they’ve done this: 1. Are CHANEL trying to change the type of customer that wears their goods? Are they trying to price people out?? 2. To possibly make-up for the 2 months where they couldn't make sales
Sophie Shohet | Fashion Beauty Lifestyle love this video again thanks Sophie!!!! Someone else actually said about Chanel and even LV wanting to go down the Hermes route with the “perfect customer” in mind! End of the day they shouldn’t care who’s buying their bags we are paying their wages so that should be enough!!! Mulberry were another brand who have helped with covid they were making ppe for the NHS and like you said when I see brands doing this it totally warms my heart! Unlike others who are just hiking their bloody prices up!
These luxury brands aren't really concerned with people that have to "think about" or "save up" for bags. This will price that demographic out. The people that could spend $7,000 on a bag before, will be able to spend more than that after the pandemic, in my opinion. Is Hermes hurting? The equity gap is real and getting wider by the day.
I think they are trying to price people out, absolutely! There are different ways to make up for the sales, and price increase is never one. Since the people who can actually afford this on a regular basis, (can just buy it with a blink of an eye, don't need to save up) wouldn't care about these price increase. Just like now, the price for milk/cheese/grocery went up, but we can still work with that, same with the upper 1% and their luxury goods price. Channel has never marketed themselves a "brand for everyone" and never will be. They don't want too many people to be able to afford their goods and is slowly shifting to the Hermes level. It's hard to say whether it's the right decision or not. But it's nothing outrageous or ridiculous about it, it's a business decision after all.
Good luck to them. Not interested in their brand any longer. They may be fine without me, but I will certainly be better off not giving them my hard earned money.
I couldn't agree more. I wanted a classic flap so badly, but this price increase has made me change my mind. This price is just too high for a HANDBAG! I'll be going to LV, Gucci or Lancel. Chanel is going to lose a lot of consumers due to this price increase during this global recession and pandemic. They have made a poor business decision.
Tracy Truong yesss! YSL is my FAVORITE! Their quality is superb. No price increases and the boutique experience is alwayssss so laid back. They are always so welcoming.
Exactly! We should all be grateful that many luxury brands are supporting the medical community in the fight against COVID-19, but right now nobody cares about much besides their families well-being.
I disagree. Even the top Russian officials are affected by the covid-19 virus but, it is not stopping the wealthy from purchasing luxury goods. Luxury is very much alive and thriving without the lesser classes of people.
@@alexc1474 If Chanel and other houses do not soon realize that the upper 1 percent's wealth is contingent upon the lesser 99 percent there will be no channel, Hermes, Dior etc. That population cannot maintain itself alone. Every economy globally will indeed take strong hits. The top one percent will not escape unscaved.
@@angeliiis2419 Sadly I think their strategy is targeting Asian markets which have been slowly recovering from the pandemic already. After this news released, the lines outside of Chanel stores in Asia are insane. Pretty sure it worked as a boost of sale momentarily.
They’re gross for doing so. As long as venture capitalists run fashion houses this will be the result. Lower quality equals more profit as far as they’re concerned
If they're going to raise the price, they should also improve the quality. How is it that my Valentino Garavani bags are more durable than my Chanel ones? If you're going to spend 7000€ on a bag, go to Hermès. Chanel bags are not worth the price.
Hermes is also overpriced. Sorry, I had to say it. I mean, it's just a bag. I just don't get the appeal of that brand, it's designs and that price point. But perhaps it's about status?
@@hms1609 With luxury, I believe that there is a markup because of the name always. Hermès bags are amazing quality, but still, you are paying a lot for the status of the bag. However, you'd never see an Hermès bag with gold hardware rubbing off like you see now on modern Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags.
I’m in the US and I just checked their website. The purse section says “price upon request.” I don’t think we will be spared in this. That puts me out of the game for Chanel. Everyone has a breaking point and a 25% increase on a $5500-$6000 bag is it for me. The move is so tone deaf and a lack of sensitivity on their part.
Why are we surprised?!...when has a lux fashion house showed the working class any kind of "thx for keeping us open" gratitude. They want to narrow the margin on who their "targetted consumer" or ideal clientele is for their luxury goods...perfect timing...horrible
Absolutely spot on. Arrogance on their part- going down the Hermès route.Without the quality. I’ve been buying Chanel for 30 years but no more. The staff can be unbelievably rude, which makes the buying experience unpleasant. I shall be buying second hand in future, if at all. Shame on you Chanel. May you lose customers over this
Leah C It might not be arrogance. Seems they are doing a price increase to keep their people employed. I suggest we be supportive of Chanel unless of course we prefer lower prices in favour of people being laid off. People need jobs but nobody needs a Chanel product let’s be honest. us.fashionnetwork.com/news/Luxury-groups-dip-into-own-pockets-to-aid-employees-in-covid-19-crisis,1205407.html
Funny thing is the demand is still there, but the supply is super low. All of Chanel’s factories are based in Italy, and Covid-19 hit us the most. We were advised to increase about 7-12 percent off original price, not 25%.
I was looking for this comment. The last 4 years especially, damaged Chanel's branding. Something as classic as Chanel flap bag is now to me a basic bag. I've felt this way for the last few years.
@@jennifermcgee8621 I know that Louis Vuitton and, unfortunately, Dior do. Don't know about Chanel. But when literally CHILDREN / TEENS began to wear Chanel / LV / Gucci / Hermes bags, those brands just lost their value in my opinion. Because I remember when those products were symbols of achievement, life progress, hard work. And hard-working adults wore them. Those were the days that these products really had meaning.
What hurts me is the hypocrisy.. I am French and i know that chanel refused the government’s help for their workers’ salary, which is completely fine and to applaud actually ! However, you don’t refuse government’s help to increase your prices by 25% then ! Like you said, during this pandemic time in the world, I feel that this is just wrong... I always wanted a classic small flap and I found it to be ridiculously expensive at 4500€ already, but +1000€ ?? I honestly gave up on the brand, their policy is not something i want to encourage... Thank you for your video Sophie, love your content as always !
That is why you have a contact # of trustworthy buyer who can get you top quality inspired bag (same leather.same material.same design) from Guangzhou factory 😝 everything the same except the price it 8 times cheaper (now maybe even more)
@@emmaphilo4049 exactement c'est vraiment du n'importe quoi !! Les gens hésitaient d'acheter les sacs à 2000€ et mtn sue c'est 7000€ beh c'est perdue mais la chose qui m'agace c'est que avec cette hausse de prix apparemment la qualité est toujours la même 🤦♀️
I’m literally losing my faith in Chanel. My earrings have lost three stones just by sitting in my jewellery box. I’m so upset with the lack of quality!
i mean chanel are known to have disastrous jewellery, its not their main sellers. ur just paying for the brand name really. i suggest you go to a proper jewellery store with PURE gold/silver/diamonds and invest in something from there. they are always a safe bet and u can sell anytime and guarantee u will get the most of it.
Lady Naja their costume jewellery is ridiculously priced and not well made. All the pearls and jewels always fall out. One way I made them stay put is putting clear nail varnish over it
Chanel jewelry has always looked liked overpriced costume jewelry, hell some of these cheap dupes look better, I wouldn’t dare buy really expensive jewelry that didn’t look expensive and their jewelry definitely doesn’t look expensive just like tiffanys, they definitely play people for suckers making them pay really expensive prices for jewelry thats not even real gold or diamonds, it’s funny to me though, people like to flex and be show off paying luxury prices for not so luxury made items lol
Same! The classic flaps have never really been my style and have loved Dior ever since walking around the boutiques as a kid with my mom lol. This price increase just tips me over the fence on my opinion of Chanel.
This is way I support much more that some brands are using their expertise to make ventilators or masks. I don't mind if you make profit, just don't be blind at what the world needs now and what can you offer.
I think they want their customer base to be like Hermes, the people who aren’t bothered or affected by recessions - and the people who can’t spend their money on luxury travel at the moment spending it on luxury goods instead. Also people who buy in Asia often travel to Europe and buy over here, as it’s much cheaper even with the price of the trip. I guess they might increase their prices there by the % people would usually allocate to their travel.
Exactly ... but they never will be Hermès ... as hard as they try. Not happening ... I no longer can afford Chanel like I once did ... I usually buy one classic per year ... but now it’s out of my reach ... I’m obviously not the clientele they want ... so be it. I’ll save up for a few years and get a Kelly. At least Hermès is a true investment piece ... Bye by Chanel ... the sad thing is while this upsets me Chanel could NOT care less.
@@MarriedtoDoofus I agree. The real problem for Chanel is that the quality and craftsmanship isn't in the same league as Hermes. Why would anyone pay those prices for factory mass-produced items?
Fashion Weirdo I know ... it’s not something I can obtain easily and probably never will ... I learned a very valuable but expensive lesson today ... integrity matters. Maybe I’m not the 1% ... but I have the right to spend my earned money on anything I choose so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone in the process ... Hermès however expensive and exclusive they are ... at least maintained integrity ... their quality has not declined nor have their standards. If I never am able to get one so be it. At least I won’t be supporting a dishonest and frankly downward spiraling brand like Chanel.
I really think ever since almost every Instagram/youtube "beauty influencer" started carrying chanel bags it has really lowered the value and perception of these once iconic bags. They look so basic now. The price increase at this time is incredibly distasteful for chanel. So classless of them to do. The price and quality arent even comparable anymore. You're better off saving a bit more money and investing in Hermes.
I remember when bags from Chanel/Dior/LV/Hermes were symbols of achievement, life progress, hard work. And hard-working adults wore them. To show to themselves and the world that they achieved success. Those were the days that these products really had meaning. When KIDS/TEENS/laughable so-called "INFLUENCERS" began to wear all those products, those bags lost all credibility, symbolism and luxurious value for me. Worthless. (Plus, it always looks on those people as if those bags were borrowed from mom's cupboard).
I view it more as a censorship... to tailor the accessibility of their products to the upper class. With price increases, this makes their products close to unattainable for middle class women.
I agree. I buy bags to celebrate my achievements and milestones. Chanel has always been that kind of bag for me. I agree that when influencers or I see teens wear them, it starts to feel like fast fashion. However, I also truly believe how you carry yourself and the bag. Wearing a classic flap bag while wearing an open plaid top with jeans all ripped up or sweat pants…I get ppl are free to wear what they want, but that just looks off.
I bought my first Chanel in 2015 at 26 years old when after struggling without a steady job post 2008 recession, I secured a permanent full time job with benefits . I only made 47k USD at the time but it meant a lot to me. Also, my middle name is Chanel.
The way I see it from a marketing perspective is that luxury brands have an ideal client in mind and this is an opportunity for them to appeal to this ideal client who will likely be unaffected by the possible threat of a looming recession whilst unappealing to anyone who they deem dissatisfactory. It also provides a shameless opportunity to increase profit margins when sales are likely plummeting x
Completely agree, Fin. I am an avid Chanel purchaser and while the price increases suck (especially when I think that I was able to buy my first medium classic flap for GBP 2700 vs the Trendy i bought last year in the US for about $6000), I do get it from a marketing perspective. I have heard lots of women complaining that Chanel has become too common and that everyone seems to have one.
Fin Smith Absolutely spot on Babe👍🏼 the drive behind a conglomerate this big is far greater in the long run outcome as they have their sites set on a target market that is highly developed and sustainable 🤷🏻♀️
For years Chanel have been trying to exclude a certain customer from buying into the brand. That's why the 'grand shopping tote' was discontinued, because the entry-level price was supposedly beginning to defame the brand as it was widely affordable. If anything it's a smart business decision on their part, to achieve the clientele they want. Yes it's rather distasteful to do so in such a time, but they don't exactly have to worry. Chanel will continue to sell. * also Sophie if I may add, I truly do commend you for making videos such as these. You have truly created a lane for yourself in the context of luxury youtubers. Not to say their is anything wrong with them, but you provide depth and conversation among customers and interested-parties of luxury. Opening up these discussions to so many more people. Utterly well done. 💗
yeah but the super elite aren't wearing a classic flap, people who save up to buy their first handbag are. The super rich buy bags that are as rare as possible. Chanel is still mass-producing classic flaps. The only market that buys mass branded bags is China and China is an interesting choice of target market to try and hit right now .....
@@princessofpigs The raising of their prices isn't to only access the super elite, they already have them; it's to exclude those who save for a bag, as Sophie mentioned multiple times, 'moving the goal post'. The justification becomes harder, and that is essentially the market they are trying to eliminate, those that have to justify it. And the 'super rich', do still buy classic flaps, as they are considered basics and for everyday use. Not every 'super rich' person is exclusively buying exotics. As for mass-producing, that is incorrect, Chanel stopped production all together on the 18th of March and have yet to resume. Also, China is the country that have the most disposable income when in terms of buying luxury, it's not strange, it's smart. (Again, this is not me agreeing with what Chanel are doing).
@@shaks.m5555 My boyfriends mother works for Chanel market research at their Paris offices. I know for a fact they did not choose to raise the price by this much, they had too. I'm sorry but Chanel does the cutting, sewing and most of assembly of their bags through cheap labour now. The only things that are done in Paris are custom orders and finishing. That's why Chanel haven't paid there stuff during covid-19. They've had waves of standing staff down or making them redundant and the brand was too proud to take a handout from the French government. The prices have been raised to combat the re-sale market actually, as Chanel sales are falling everywhere but the Asia Pacific (China, Hong Kong ect). Hermes for example have been trying very hard to target European auidence again because they are worried about being too reliant on China. When Covid is finished China could loose a lot of money. The economy there has not been good for a while and now the country is headed towards a recession. You might be like "but the rich are rich" well yes they are, but in China the communist laws work so that it is the responsibility of the richer members of society to support the poor. Their system is specifically designed for the government to pay as little money as possible. The _government_ don't want to give handouts they're not about that. Unless you are making billions of dollars or your ollllld school (last 100 years) rich in China it is very hard to keep wealth secure.
I have the money to buy a Chanel bag but now I just don’t want to. This slap in the face during recession reminds me when they supported Nazi during WWII... a judgment call I don’t agree with.
Well, it was never a secret that Coco was supporting Nazi. However, it didn’t stop people buying her or LV goods. So, as mentioned above, people will always buy it to keep up with Joneses.
They are trying to be like Hermès, where people can not access it, trying to be “exclusive”😌 Which Is ridiculous! It’s a bag! It’s not considered a precious gem😕
A precious gem is still a stone, and you can’t eat it nor it won’t warm you up in the cold. Diamond sellers make us want diamonds and designer bags makers make us want designer bags. It’s all the same, completely unnecessary stuff which we’re desperate to get our hands on
THANK YOU SOPHIE. So many influencers are out here trying to spin this as a PR move and I'm pretty sure no one is buying it. Pardon the pun. So my boyfriends mum works in marketing in the Paris offices. This increase is not by choice. Chanel gets most of their bags made offshore in third world countries now, they just assemble the bare minimum finishing off the bag in Paris. As soon as Corona hit they had to start making the bags in France. Automatically that meant that at least a 10% increase had to happen. According to his mum Chanel saw it as an opportunity to increase prices really high to increase exclusivity. *Chanel sales have been declining recently due to the re-sale market* This will most defiantly make that problem worse but I heard the people who made this decision didn't really have the right background or education to do so, it's just number crunchers. Chanel yearly sales are high yes, but *65%* or more of those sales come from China (or places like Hong Kong). Then the highest buyers are all Italian or French. So Chanel's target auidence is the trifecta of badly hit Coronavirus locations. This feels like a bit of a last ditch effort, if this doesn't work I imagine prices will have to drop, which hasn't happened since like 2006 so it will be really interesting to see what comes next. Chanel is getting very luke-warm receptions in the critic world post Karl's death. This is not the fold of Chanel but they could be hurtling towards a fall.
if Channel is trying to be Hermes, let them. let those who are after the brand and the status fight over their bags. there are plenty of other brands out there.
The power of being unbothered is the best and the scariest thing to such brands who overprice their products. Now some products do cost thousands of euros because of the way the materials have been worked on or the craftsmanship required but when you have a sloppy boy bag that won't last a few years and it costs around 10 000 EUR - no thank you.
yeah, but the thing is it doesn't make sense in terms of their previous, relatively recent, actions. Chanel wants to be Hermes but they dress Billie Eilish who's fanbase are kids/teenagers...so like are they trying to be Gucci och Hermes? xD
This has definitely put me off Chanel. I thought about what you said about customer service and found that very interesting. I had that exact experience in the stores in Melbourne, Australia. The Chanel staff were very offhand. The Dior staff member was so lovely and even though I didn't buy anything he gave me a catalogue in one of their "packaging" bags. I've still remembered him and when the time comes I will be buying Dior. As I side note, I love Burberry's new bags and the new TB logo and am happy to hear how helpful they've been during this pandemic.
Then we need to stop buying, im lucky to already own 3 bags and might not ever get a fourth one. There are others beautiful brands like YSL, Chloe, Burberry , Givenchy and we can consider.
They do but they are doing a 'Hermès' and people are fighting to buy and collect Birkins because they represent status, sense of belonging and all those human tendencies. Humans being stupid and weak everyone will fight and squeeze their budget to afford one. They do deserve our boycott though.
But it won't happen 🤷♀ I like Chanel since I am French especially. It's history and heritage. But I can't be part of this financially and morally it's not positive. At least you already have yours....
Emma Philomena hahaha I do, I was like to get 3 bags two blacks and one navy blue. I really wanted to add some fun colors but I think will consider others designers.
I love luxury items, but in times like this, I haven't even glanced at my bags. All I have been doing is reminiscing on my past holidays and wishing I could travel right now. All I can say is with these horrible price increases, I'd rather go on three holidays a year than get a bag.
HSC Me too! Enjoying reliving vacations through pictures and day dreaming of where I want to go once the pandemic passes. I haven’t switched out of my current bag since lockdown March 13th.
Tippytoe Yes! Definitely looking through pictures! Hopefully everyone can travel in the near future! I was hoping to go to Europe for Christmas this year and do some shopping!
HSC Yes hopefully we can all travel soon. My husband and I went to Europe the last 3 summers so we wanted to go to Japan this summer. But it looks like we probably won’t be able to travel freely again until 2021😞
Honestly one of my dreams is to buy a Chanel bag in Paris but this type of things is really making me see the brand in a different light and I'm a bit disappointed. I'm very glad you do this type of videos so we can stay informed about what's going on and I really appreciate the research you put into it. You're the best ❤️
Most of these luxury brands rely on solid clients, or VIP who never look at the price tags and buy ready to wear, jewelry regularly instead of working class people(like me) who save up and buy Chanel/LV once or twice a year(some of them even limit how many bags you can buy per year). It's sad but true.. From a business angle, price increases do make their most important/ targeted customers feel good about the brand exclusivity and feel positive about the value of their purchases.
Honestly, to me, Chanel wants to be Hermès. They want their trademark to be seen as a symbol for the highest social (economical) status. That's why they fight against their bags being sold second hand. They want to create an image for the brand where their clients are only those who are so rich that global economic problems can't affect them. So this may create the need for me and you to buy their products (ie, logo) to "feel" equally special, if that even makes sense. As for Burberry, not many years ago they burnt their unsold clothes because they did not want them to be sold at lower prices and end up worn by the middle class. Huge environmental scandal back then.
Maria2803 I totally agree with you. My past experiences in Chanel Boutiques confirm that they want to be one the level of Hermes...about a year ago I once had a Chanel SA tell me that Chanel and Hermes were on the same level. At the time I was so confused by that comment but now I get it.
I’ve also noticed that Burberry has fallen behind the other brands a little bit. It’s so sad because it’s one of my favorites, but it’s great seeing how they are providing support during the pandemic. I love your controversial videos, you make very good points and I love hearing your thoughts. Great videos!!!!
I've always wanted to own something from Chanel, because they represent a kind of timeless elegance that has always fashinated me. There is a warm emotion (for me) even just buying Chanel makeup, so I wanted to buy a bag, but I have always gave up on the idea because I didn't want to waste my savings on a bag just yet, I had other priorities first. But now, seeing them using a global pandemic as stepping stone to become even more inaccessible is disappointing, heart-breaking and very cheap. They want the luxury to be disgusted by your money and the hard work you do to ear them, they don't want to simply sell their stuff, they want you to feel honoured they've let you give them your money, and this in a moment in history where there are 300.000 deaths and most people don't know how to feed their families. This is shameful.
Excellent video as always!! Business is business. At the end of the day, they’re selling a luxury good & the economics of a luxury good have NEVER been rational. I’ve long heard the Karl Lagerfield wanted to increase the price of a Chanel bag to €7000 So I guess they’ve finally met their target. 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
You’ve said EXACTLY my thoughts on trying to manipulate what customer they get. People who could just justify and afford Chanel are being priced out to make it more exclusive and more “Hermes”
I am very disappointed in Chanel since I feel like they are pushing the marketing of their product by increasing the price. I feel like they want to raise exclusivity but instead of highlighting the history or the craftsmanship they are just pushing up the price and waiting for some logomaniacs to purchase their stock just cause it’s Chanel. They have a great selection of ready to wear which I enjoy more than any brand but I don’t want to be associated with that flashy brand anymore which had such a beautiful history and insane products who are ironically being (in my opinion) cheapened by a price increase. Love you and your videos ❤️
Yes, I think they are trying to shift the reason we, as consumers, are paying so much for a bag. Instead of quality and heritage, they want us to pay for the logo and the brand.
@@eliasenderlein9628 and if you buy for logo they don't care about quality of their products, can save money & time of production, save money. Double win as they make more from sales and save on cheaper production.
Chanel will NEVER EVER be at the same level as Hermès. The quality of the Chanel products, just like Sophie said, isn‘t that good - that would justify prices like that. I am not suporting the Chanel Brand anymore. I rather buy other luxury brands where quality is known.
The price increases are absurd but honestly, I don’t think fashion houses as popular as Chanel care because they have already made a name for themselves. So people who love the brand and are prepared to spend whatever, whenever on a handbag will most likely pay the premium. I can’t imagine Chanel really caring too much about consumers who have to seriously budget and save religiously for a handbag. Those with disposable cash will grit their teeth and continue to buy because..... well.... Chanel 🤷♀️
naturallybronzed xo I don‘t think that‘s true necessarily. I work for a very rich woman that wears designer only and has a Birkin collection. And even she says that Chanel is ridiculously expensive and she‘s not willing to buy anything from them simply because the prices are not justifiable. On the long run they‘re ruining the Eueopean market for themselves, imho. At least I hope that people will not support those greedy brands anymore by buying from them.
Sandraishful I understand. I know my opinion isn’t true for every affluent person, but I can’t see them being as outraged as those who have to be a little less frivolous with their money. I’ve never been into Chanel so perhaps that’s why I’m not as emotionally charged by their actions.
Contrary to what people believe a lot of affluent people aren’t big and frivolous spenders after all you don’t grow wealth spending on bags. Like someone said before Chanel which is a mass produced bag isn’t worth it especially when quality and customer service has gone down. Hermès can do that because their handmade quality justifies the price as astronomical as it is. At these Chanel prices you might as well buy Hermès it’s a better buy for money
@@LittleMissDeeDee Yes, I absolutely agree. I do own Chloé, YSL and some others because I prefer the design over Chanel. For myself, most Chanel-bag looks grandma-ish and don't fit my casual style, but I've been eyeing a wallet on a chain. The price kept me from buying it, because I could get a proper Dior for the same money... I'm not infuriated for myself, I think it's just impertinent behaviour, esp. considering how the quality has gone down. Really not comparable to Hermes.
As a lover of LV, YSL and older iconic Mulberry, I was going to buy my first Chanel this year. But if the prices are going up and the quality is going down, then I may not bother. I’m in a privileged position regarding funds but I feel that just because you can, doesn’t always mean you should!!
Chanel handbags have always been my favorite, but I am so disappointed in their lack of integrity-to raise prices so much during such a time as this. They have lost my future patronage. Sophie, thank you for always being so refreshingly honest and down to earth. Now, you are a person of integrity and class!!
Im only 22, saving up for a mini coco handle (its been 2 years since i fell in love with the bag) and these price increases is a big slap in the face honesty 😭
I understand the price increases yearly but the price increase this time is outrageous!!!! I’m done with their handbags, I have enough to last a few lifetimes anyway.
I love dior so much, I think I will get my first luxury handbag from them first since their aura is fresh, elegant, and incredibly polite just like an elegant woman should be :) Chanel on the other hand seems to be like the other sister who is more stuck up and snobby 😂
Yes, the Chanel customer experience and brand management just acts more snooty and stuck up. I really love Dior right now, and no news of a price increase anytime soon so that's good!
Do you know what I find really interesting about Chanel? In all of their media they use younger looking faces (like Krsten Stewart, for example) which makes the brand very aspirational to a younger crowd. But then, they turn their noses up at these same young adults who go into the stores. Just like you said, the treatment in the stores is ridiculous and everyone generally says the same thing. I get a more enthusiastic greeting from the security guard on duty than I do the SAs. The only thing I get from Chanel is perfume, and my current favorite (Biarritz) can be bought at Nordstrom, so no need to go into Chanel anymore. I agree, raising their prices is going to do nothing but hurt them in the long run.
It’s rare I ever watch any video on RUclips and don’t fast forward bits but I watched every single minute of this and loved it. I agree with every single point you made, I believe Chanel are tying to make themselves more exclusive and like Hermes but how can they when their quality is shocking. I’d planned to purchase a classic flap back in April for my birthday but given everything that was going on and their lack of online presence I wasn’t able to but thought that’s the first thing I’ll do when all this is over (not sure if it was financially a wise decision but this time has made me realise I need to live a bit more lol.) now that bag could possibly be £1k more just blows my mind!! I wish we could all boycott them and hope they lower their prices but once they’ve gone up I doubt they’ll ever go back down. Thanks for a great vid and also great to hear someone talking about purseblog, I’ve been a member for years haha 🥰
I agree with you Sophie- for Chanel to have such a huge price increase, they need to match their quality with their prices . Great video, very informative!
Hi Sophie. I will say when I went to Chanel in Paris (I'm from New York), they seemed nice enough to us. Also, perhaps not displaying on social media what they are doing during this time could possibly be a more humble move as opposed to saying "look at me!". However, the prices of these bags are ridiculous already and if they are going to increase during this terrible time, I can say that I will never be buying anything Chanel. Too bad, right before this I was considering purchasing a bag for my 50th b'day. Oh well. Hello Dior!
I have been saving for a classic flap, but I'm over it after this. Honestly, if I am spending that much I'd rather go buy from Hermès. I completely agree with you that their quality just does not justify the cost. I understand prices continue to go up, but the price jumps Chanel approves completely turns me off from the brand. Vintage Chanel bags are better quality than the ones you buy in store!
I have good experiences buying pro-loved Classic Flaps from Japanese sellers on eBay. I know many of these big Japanese sellers also have store showrooms in Japan. (Check out RUclips, vintage Chanel stores in Japan/Tokyo) I love the 24k gold plated hardwares on those vintage Chanels. Those hardwares still look like new even my bags are 25 to 34 years old and the leathers are showing their age. These leathers, as long as they’re not worn too deeply, can be polished with a little leather lotion to bring back their glory, no problem. I definitely think vintage Chanel Classic bags are worth investing.
Precisely ☝️ I would never ever buy Chanel bags in store anymore after getting my classic flap 11yrs ago. The Quality just isnt worth the money. Vintage/ pre-loved is the way to go 👍
These brands don't want their bags to be Designer Ready-To-Wear, they want them to be Haute Couture. Also, this should really clean out the second-hand market for them.
Great analysis Sophie! I really enjoyed that as it was thought provoking. I think you are on to something with the idea that Chanel might be trying to be more exclusive in their clientele. Guess what.... the second hand market will boom! :D
Sophie, these brands are not giving anyone,anything to look forward to. Raising prices at this time seems unsettling with all the illnesses, unemployed and so on,makes me uncomfortable with them ,like discarding anything going on at present.Any companies gouging prices at a time like this should be ashamed. Maybe that's tough words,but I believe we may all feel it,hope this is just for those offended at a time as this to being taken advantage of. If you don't agree please don't leave neg comments, thank you ~Abby
I agree with you, I think they are trying to be sneaky and raise prices but I think it's in poor taste to do it during this time. It has left a sour taste in my mouth. I won't be purchasing anymore of their products. Thank you for this video.
Interesting video. I’m in the camp of they are pricing people out. CHANEL clothing, handbags and shoes were never meant to be for the hoi polloi and that really was reflected in their designs, a bit fussy and fuddy duddy. Make-up, perfume and sunglasses were purchases made if you wanted a toe in their high end market. I think that changed with the rise of RUclips influencers, the introduction of the coveted BOY bag and many current 20-30yr olds having much more disposable income than previous generations. The classic flap handbag style was seen as your Granny’s handbag (she used to be the only one that could afford it) and no young person would have worn that style. For many, a CHANEL handbag - or several - has become a modern badge that says you have money and is becoming common, dare I say in the way Burberry’s famous plaid was also cheapened. This is image protection I reckon.
I heard from an Aussie blogger that the Chanel small classic flap has increased from aud7740 to aud9800! I just bought my small black caviar classic flap in GHW last Feb and I was really nervous about purchasing it then but I really wanted one and it was hard to find so I bought it. If I hadn’t bought it then, I definitely wouldn’t buy it now at the new price!
Chanel is still a "private company" They can adjust their prices with out reservation ( and I definitely think they are working to make their boutique items more exclusive - for sure ) LVMH price increase feel scheduled... like they do it, b/c being too afordable is bad for the brand. They may be continuing their "scheduled" price increases, as a "responsibility to stockholders". At this point, people spending $ on luxury goods are doing it with expendable income.... the price increase might cause them to reconsider ( and if they don't, they didn't need that difference ). luxury goods are non-essential.
@@emmy7436 yeah, I've noticed an increase roughly every season T.T im an LV collector due to heritage (i still use my grandma's lv pcs from the late 70's) and the prices have just moved me to look at preloved more and more
If they are increasing things as a responsibility to their stockholders which very well might be true I feel like there should’ve been a PR statement with that to make it feel less disgusting to their loyal fans and customers
You're absolutely on the money here. Same happening in the watch world with Rolex, not so much a Covid price increase but in the last 2 years, Rolex prices are up 25% across the board and the quality is still the same... nothing against price increases in luxury goods but at least up the quality.
The issue is the demand for the bags had skyrocketed due, in part, to social media/influencers. I think Chanel are trying to make their items exclusive again. People will still buy the bags...
I don't necessarily thing this was a mistake on their part, I definitely think its a deliberate statement: Chanel is not for those affected by economic downturns or global crises. Chanel is aspiring to be only for the super-rich, not even the wealthy. It's a strategy to move into a specific part of the market. The quality of their goods doesn't need to improve either: what better way to display wealth than to buy a seven thousand euro bag that is essentially, after some wear, disposable? Like some kind of ultra-elite fast fashion.
Hi Sophie, thanks for making this video, great content as usual! I have bought from Chanel in the past and have several of their bags and other accessories, but this latest price increase has made me completely jaded towards the brand. Usually they have price increases on a yearly basis and no one tends to notice, but this time they are all over social media because everyone is complaining about them for a single price increase. This is a dead giveaway of how poor the timing of their decision was. I live in Switzerland and the price increases started on 11 May, which was the first day when shops reopened in the country after almost 2 months. So not only they were upping the prices, but they did not even have stock! Not only they have showed they are out of touch, but they are also arrogant in an extremely dumb fashion. On the other hand, I am quite grateful they have done this, because I don’t plan at this point to buy anything from their stores anymore, if I want a new bag I would definitely consider consignment, which is also way more sustainable, or Hermès, which is way better quality and more locally produced. Btw, re. LV price increase, that one is probably even worse, given it comes after they had just put up their prices in January and they have had long standing quality issues like Chanel. In 4 words: sorry, not worth it!
I called my Chanel store today - the lambskin WOC is now over $4000 Australian Dollars. I was shocked. She also said that the price increase happened yesterday.
You’ve made some really great points in this video I think to Chanel is getting to the point where so many people have their bags it might be the fear of them becoming almost a watered down version of luxury if that makes sense like coach used to be one that people would go after but because so many people ended up with coach bags and there were so many knock offs of it that that brand is one that nobody really talks about anymore… So maybe there is some thing to what you’re saying exclusivity will breed the upper Ashlon To keep who they deem as basic people outside of their store or from having access to their brand.
Let our feet do the talking; everyone’s priorities have shifted especially since Covid 19 and investing in things is certainly not as important as experiences and love. We don’t need the ‘things’ they are selling to be more of ourselves. We can live without continuing to make others billionaires. Time we got control and not worried about image. We’re all going to the same place to be eaten by worms anyway.
Sophie you've hit the nail on the head! Chanel want to be the same as Hermes... sad but so true. Apparently the price increase hits us in the UK tomorrow. It's awful such poor timing, its a disgrace!
My 2cent thoughts Chanel inventories aren’t gonna be much especially most of their popular bags are made in Italy and Italy has hit the hardest Covid 19 in Europe. Maybe it affects the staffs and factories and inventories. If they have limited inventories, prices going up is a way to reduce sales but maintain profit margins to cover lesser inventories.
I think you hit the nail on the head. The demand is still here but the supply has undoubtedly dropped substantially. They are trying to keep the profits up by raising prices.
Saw a tweet that stated "I think the Chanel price increase is a good thing. Being too accessible is never it" and I feel that that sums up the tone-deaf cult following of the brand. There's no exclusivity in low quality
A luxury brand should also have social values. Increasing prices in such difficult period of time shows that they don't respect their customers. I choose not to support these brands any more. Not because I can't afford it, but because they don't meet my values.
Thanks for making this video, I was wondering what you have to say about this huge price increase! I totally understand having the regular price increases but 25% for that square mini is just crazy. I was waiting for this situation to improve then get a small CF or 224 when I visit my in-laws in the eu, but now, I'm not sure if I want to make the purchase anymore. Thinking I have to pay so much more (for a sized bag) than my medium CF is making me feel unbalanced! I might go for the rectangular mini or something else coz I don't feel like spending more than 5 thousand euros for a bag.
Even me, broke as a joke going to Dior at Harrods, so welcoming, so even If I had the money Chanel wouldnt be the one I put it towards. They just have this like, not arrogance, but arrogance, attitude about them, yikes.
Dior staff are honestly amazing, it doesn’t matter if other brands are more expensive and prestigious to me if customer service is friendly it makes me choose that store over competitors!!
Very timely and important video. You hit the nail on the head. Chanel is simply raising the quality of their shoppers. LV is slowly doing the same. It’s also true that the amount of personal shoppers scooping up the boutiques inventory before a legit customer comes in, is massive. They might be attempting to slow this practice down as well.
Time to buy from local crafts people ...they need your support more than ever .. The real rich won't be effected by this pandemic...this is who don't ask the price .. As they say if you need to know the price you can't afford it .. Step away from the counter.
I’ve been saving up for a Chanel handbag to buy in store and after this whole price increase, I ultimately decided to purchase secondhand, which I got a good deal for (in today’s climate). It’s not perfect and will definitely have signs of wear but it’s nowhere near the ridiculous cost of a new Chanel flap and it will suffice for my Chanel flap bag dreams. I’m sad to say I think this will be my first and last chanel handbag purchase..
I absolutely believe they're trying to compete with Hermes and also pricing people out of the potential client pool. Exclusivity appears to be the goal.
Girlfriend I agree with your thoughts about Chanel wanting to change their demographics of Who buys their handbags. Some of it seems to be Pure Greed. , I see too many young people walking around with those classic flaps and wocs, Chanel has been loosing their prestigious place in luxury especially when Hermès is the competition?. I always wondered why people are trying to get rid of their Chanel bags, I see so many of them in the resale market looking Dull,flat and disfigured online .so obviously they’re not worth the Price! Such a shame that they now seem to be desperate at this moment in time.
Great insightful video Sophie. It’s simply ridiculous, not just the timing, but the constant increasing of prices, over the years is simply ridiculous . The quality has gone down considerably. We must band together and send Chanel a message with out pocket book( money 💰).
There comes a time when enough is enough. £7k for a handbag that costs a fraction of that to make? When are people going to realise how ridiculous this is? Everyone to their own. Tbh, I have always wanted a Chanel bag but this greed makes me think, even if I had the money, I woukd spend my money elsewhere. Thanks Sophie. Lot's of love to you and David. 😘
Totally agree Sophie not the right time! Totally went off LV been a valued customer for 16 years and I don’t think I will buy any more from them for this reason. I remember buying the speedy 30 around 13 years ago for £400 now it’ s nearly £1000 😱
you should think the over way around. now you are out of their reach. save your money for better investment or purchases. enjoy your life, your money, your rules.
Sophie, your channel really is one of, if not the best luxury channel out there. The fact you're so knowledgeable and make the effort to fully research the brands' efforts for Covid-19 in order to spark such an engaging conversation about what Chanel has done really is brilliant, and I don't see many other luxury channels do this. Forever a down to earth, intelligent lady, and pure class.
It is very smart move. They are scaling down and aiming for highest income clientele who don't care about the crises. Chanel wants to position themselves as the top luxury brand after years of growth and being mainstream, so it totally makes sense. Also, they have huge cosmetics & skincare business, so there is plenty of product for poor people to enjoy :P :) So.. they have haute-couture, they have prestige, legacy, they are far superior than Hermes.
Wow, that’s so nice that Burberry is doing that! This is what this big companies should be doing right now, This is not the time to be doing this ridiculous 25% price increase, not that it matters at this time, but a lot of luxury lovers are being turned off buying their products because of this😏
They are doing a Hermès... People are gonna want even their entry stuff even more. Or so Chanel think. I am a bit disapointed as a French because it's a heritage brand and almost a national treasure that doesn't care about the people who supported the brand for decades. Regarding Covid, LVMH has produced masks to help but to be fair this is how Bernard Arnault is. He acts more than just a Ceo and always wants to also be a patriot. I believe he gets along well with Emmanuel Macron who probably has massive respect for him... Sorry for the bit of French politics. I wish Chanel was more like LVMH.
@@chestercat13dotdotdot68 yes I agree. I meant he wants to be more involved. The Arnault try to count and show how important they are. LVMH also gave money for Notre Dame while we never hear about Chanel.... I didn't say they are nice people but they kind of show, we are here, look what we do for France in term of its image etc. I don't know everything but Wikipedia says Chanel is a French brand. Not sure what nationality the brothers owning it are. They are quite discreet whereas the Arnault appear slightly more in the medias. Probably multiple nationalities. Is ''rich', '1%', a nationality lol? Those often are quite cosmopolitan people aren't.they. All I know is I feel even more betrayed by Chanel because it's French and I am French. I know that doesn't make sense lol but that's how I feel 🤣
Hi Sophie, love your videos. Just thought about the price increases and ultimately what a lot of people are forgetting is that selling bags is a business. The price increases are not really a surprise, due to Covid shop closures and even with furlough payment, you have to remember that these luxury brands are not making money, and this is dipping into profit margins. They will continue to increase price on the goods they sell, with the aim to ultimately double the prices of their goods writhin the next year or two to cover the economic downfall. Also do not for a second think this is the last price increase for the year. Additionally, these brands justify the increase in price because of alleged ‘raw material price increases’ such as leather etc but ultimately it’s all about the money. I love your videos and hope your well. Xx
I'm in australia and the price increase has already happened. The small classic flap has increased by 27% from $7740 to $9820. The square minis have increased by 31% from $4560 to $5980. I'm gobsmacked
ok so this is what I think - I think Sophie is absolutely right that this is something reactionary and deeply seated in profit-seeking that I think they will regret in the long run. Chanel International has been in a complete loss of identity after the death of our beloved Karl - you can see it in their collections, their stores and even in the manner of conducting business. Karl had his hands in everything and really carried Chanel. After his death, I think the higher-ups started thinking where Chanel should go. Karl in the 70s and 80s was the resuscitator in the fashion world. He modernized Fendi, and Chanel, almost dead after Coco, sought Karl. He was keen on embracing the youthful woman, he preserved the legacy of Chanel, but continuously wanted to appease the younger woman: the daughter, the young professional, the fashionable new mom. so after Karl passed, Chanel had to reconsider their client. do they want to follow in Hermes' footsteps and seek the creme de la creme with timeless designs they are renowned for, without having to appease a younger crowd, all while still being profitable with their astronomical prices; or did they want to follow LVMH who are the industry's giant? and I think they are chose Hermes. but not really. But let me tell you why Chanel can NEVER be Hermes. First of all, Chanel has nowhere near the same level of workmanship and savoir faire in the leather goods as hermes. Say they do increase the quality of their product to match hermes: first off, there's simply not enough craftspeople in the world at the caliber they would need. Say they find them, the supply would be IMMENSELY reduced from what they currently output. They have WAY more brick and mortar buildings, thanks to the accessibility that Karl wanted, which would make it impossible for the brand to be able to run with such a small supply and high levels of exclusivity. So I think the only way for them to be exclusive and emulate Hermes without all the hardwork of being a better house is "jack up the prices" - it is a really naive PR mistake honestly since even your top 10% clients, are still going to want to see perfection if you charge them that.
The ballerina flats are NOT affected thank GOD! Also THANK GOD FOR RESALE! This is why I shop Fashionphile and TheRealReal! Sorry all of you were CRAZY anyway for spending $4000+ on a bag!!!
New prices have already taken effect here in Australia. There is no way for them to be sneaky because the rise is substantial you just can't go unnoticed
Another thing CHANEL is doing is cancelling orders. 5 of the last 7 orders I made in the last two months were cancelled a week or so after I made them. I’d get a random email that said the order was cancelled and they could never give me a solid reason why. Said my bank card wouldn’t process the order. EXCUSE ME?! I told them not to insult my intelligence. I’ve used the card everywhere else no problem. I don’t know what’s going on with their customer service. CHANEL is behaving daft with these price increases and cancellations.
Girl did you hear the foolishness that happened in Korea because of the increases? There were hundreds of people lining up outside of Chanel and Louis Vuitton RIGHT AFTER AN OUTBREAK IN SEOUL, because they noticed the pricing removed. So they wanted to grab bags and clothes with their credit cards before the prices went up 7-17%. So now Korea is considering shutting down all luxury stores until the new outbreak is under control. We were doing well in Korea and then this happens. Koreans love luxury to the point where it's almost hypebeast level and it was pretty scary. I had to cancel my trip to Seoul this weekend because of this. I can't see my bae again. I haven't seen him since the Seoul outbreak began May 5th.
Hey Everyone - I’ve had loads of you leaving me comments about the rumoured CHANEL May 2020 Price increase. Some of you have been reporting increases of between 7% and 17%! So I’ve investigated a little, as well as speaking to my S.A in London and this vid contains the info I’ve found.
*My thoughts on why they’ve done this:
1. Are CHANEL trying to change the type of customer that wears their goods? Are they trying to price people out??
2. To possibly make-up for the 2 months where they couldn't make sales
Sophie Shohet | Fashion Beauty Lifestyle love this video again thanks Sophie!!!! Someone else actually said about Chanel and even LV wanting to go down the Hermes route with the “perfect customer” in mind! End of the day they shouldn’t care who’s buying their bags we are paying their wages so that should be enough!!! Mulberry were another brand who have helped with covid they were making ppe for the NHS and like you said when I see brands doing this it totally warms my heart! Unlike others who are just hiking their bloody prices up!
Louis Vuitton did too!
These luxury brands aren't really concerned with people that have to "think about" or "save up" for bags. This will price that demographic out. The people that could spend $7,000 on a bag before, will be able to spend more than that after the pandemic, in my opinion. Is Hermes hurting? The equity gap is real and getting wider by the day.
I think they are trying to price people out, absolutely! There are different ways to make up for the sales, and price increase is never one. Since the people who can actually afford this on a regular basis, (can just buy it with a blink of an eye, don't need to save up) wouldn't care about these price increase. Just like now, the price for milk/cheese/grocery went up, but we can still work with that, same with the upper 1% and their luxury goods price.
Channel has never marketed themselves a "brand for everyone" and never will be. They don't want too many people to be able to afford their goods and is slowly shifting to the Hermes level. It's hard to say whether it's the right decision or not. But it's nothing outrageous or ridiculous about it, it's a business decision after all.
@@xRoshtack I agree
Good luck to them. Not interested in their brand any longer. They may be fine without me, but I will certainly be better off not giving them my hard earned money.
I couldn't agree more. I wanted a classic flap so badly, but this price increase has made me change my mind. This price is just too high for a HANDBAG! I'll be going to LV, Gucci or Lancel. Chanel is going to lose a lot of consumers due to this price increase during this global recession and pandemic. They have made a poor business decision.
Ageee! Not interested anymore!
@@cynthiasstylemua9822 There's YSL. my all time fav brand. So far no increase in their prices. One of the best made quality bag ever!
Tracy Truong yesss! YSL is my FAVORITE! Their quality is superb. No price increases and the boutique experience is alwayssss so laid back. They are always so welcoming.
LV raise the price too. They just want to make more money during this hard time
They are completely ridiculous...at this point none of those brands matter anymore
Exactly! We should all be grateful that many luxury brands are supporting the medical community in the fight against COVID-19, but right now nobody cares about much besides their families well-being.
I disagree. Even the top Russian officials are affected by the covid-19 virus but, it is not stopping the wealthy from purchasing luxury goods. Luxury is very much alive and thriving without the lesser classes of people.
I think Chanel was becoming too accessible
@@alexc1474 If Chanel and other houses do not soon realize that the upper 1 percent's wealth is contingent upon the lesser 99 percent there will be no channel, Hermes, Dior etc. That population cannot maintain itself alone. Every economy globally will indeed take strong hits. The top one percent will not escape unscaved.
@@angeliiis2419 Sadly I think their strategy is targeting Asian markets which have been slowly recovering from the pandemic already. After this news released, the lines outside of Chanel stores in Asia are insane. Pretty sure it worked as a boost of sale momentarily.
Bye Bye Chanel. No brand should increase price during this horrible time.
Hang Ta exactly
The price increase is Totally in poor taste.
I agree with you, but I don’t think they cares
@@aokiQ True. The brands think customers will have to accept it
They’re gross for doing so. As long as venture capitalists run fashion houses this will be the result. Lower quality equals more profit as far as they’re concerned
They want to be exclusive. The thing is they’re mass produced... 🤷🏻♀️
If they're going to raise the price, they should also improve the quality. How is it that my Valentino Garavani bags are more durable than my Chanel ones? If you're going to spend 7000€ on a bag, go to Hermès. Chanel bags are not worth the price.
honestly!
Hermes is also overpriced. Sorry, I had to say it. I mean, it's just a bag. I just don't get the appeal of that brand, it's designs and that price point. But perhaps it's about status?
@@hms1609 With luxury, I believe that there is a markup because of the name always. Hermès bags are amazing quality, but still, you are paying a lot for the status of the bag. However, you'd never see an Hermès bag with gold hardware rubbing off like you see now on modern Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags.
Chanel try to be Hermes
PhoenixBella Yes Hermès is also overpriced but you don't lose money when you decide to sell your Kelly or your Birkin.
I’m in the US and I just checked their website. The purse section says “price upon request.” I don’t think we will be spared in this. That puts me out of the game for Chanel. Everyone has a breaking point and a 25% increase on a $5500-$6000 bag is it for me. The move is so tone deaf and a lack of sensitivity on their part.
Yep, I've been checking the US website daily and the prices have been gone for a week so... Chanel is doing too much!
Why are we surprised?!...when has a lux fashion house showed the working class any kind of "thx for keeping us open" gratitude. They want to narrow the margin on who their "targetted consumer" or ideal clientele is for their luxury goods...perfect timing...horrible
Totally agree this is disgusting
@@gemini2loveme No surprise, Chanel does not want customers who have to save up to buy a bag. Chanel does not want your working class money.
@@walruslatte6080 well glad I never gave them one dime of it🙃🙂
Absolutely spot on.
Arrogance on their part- going down the Hermès route.Without the quality.
I’ve been buying Chanel for 30 years but no more.
The staff can be unbelievably rude, which makes the buying experience unpleasant.
I shall be buying second hand in future, if at all.
Shame on you Chanel.
May you lose customers over this
Kathryn Caudwell they are trying to be snobby like Hermes AHAHAHAHA XD
Leah C It might not be arrogance.
Seems they are doing a price increase to keep their people employed. I suggest we be supportive of Chanel unless of course we prefer lower prices in favour of people being laid off.
People need jobs but nobody needs a Chanel product let’s be honest.
us.fashionnetwork.com/news/Luxury-groups-dip-into-own-pockets-to-aid-employees-in-covid-19-crisis,1205407.html
Funny thing is the demand is still there, but the supply is super low. All of Chanel’s factories are based in Italy, and Covid-19 hit us the most. We were advised to increase about 7-12 percent off original price, not 25%.
They lost its value once every single influencer and blogger over the age on 16 started wearing them. They look quite cheap now.
Franchesca Gonzalez this!!!
Franchesca Gonzalez AMEEEEEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’re soooo on point with this thought!
I was looking for this comment. The last 4 years especially, damaged Chanel's branding. Something as classic as Chanel flap bag is now to me a basic bag. I've felt this way for the last few years.
My thoughts exactly! These girls will continue to go into debt to buy these bags. Does anyone know if Chanel gifts bags to influencers?
@@jennifermcgee8621 I know that Louis Vuitton and, unfortunately, Dior do. Don't know about Chanel. But when literally CHILDREN / TEENS began to wear Chanel / LV / Gucci / Hermes bags, those brands just lost their value in my opinion. Because I remember when those products were symbols of achievement, life progress, hard work. And hard-working adults wore them. Those were the days that these products really had meaning.
What hurts me is the hypocrisy.. I am French and i know that chanel refused the government’s help for their workers’ salary, which is completely fine and to applaud actually ! However, you don’t refuse government’s help to increase your prices by 25% then ! Like you said, during this pandemic time in the world, I feel that this is just wrong... I always wanted a classic small flap and I found it to be ridiculously expensive at 4500€ already, but +1000€ ?? I honestly gave up on the brand, their policy is not something i want to encourage... Thank you for your video Sophie, love your content as always !
jhnofan I think it’s better that they increase their prices than take money from tax payers.
jhnofan Totaly agree!
That is why you have a contact # of trustworthy buyer who can get you top quality inspired bag (same leather.same material.same design) from Guangzhou factory 😝 everything the same except the price it 8 times cheaper (now maybe even more)
Yes, us French are even more betrayed, this brand is part of our DNA lol. Even the make up is overpriced. What the heck!!!!
@@emmaphilo4049 exactement c'est vraiment du n'importe quoi !! Les gens hésitaient d'acheter les sacs à 2000€ et mtn sue c'est 7000€ beh c'est perdue mais la chose qui m'agace c'est que avec cette hausse de prix apparemment la qualité est toujours la même 🤦♀️
I’m literally losing my faith in Chanel. My earrings have lost three stones just by sitting in my jewellery box. I’m so upset with the lack of quality!
i mean chanel are known to have disastrous jewellery, its not their main sellers. ur just paying for the brand name really. i suggest you go to a proper jewellery store with PURE gold/silver/diamonds and invest in something from there. they are always a safe bet and u can sell anytime and guarantee u will get the most of it.
Lady Naja their costume jewellery is ridiculously priced and not well made. All the pearls and jewels always fall out. One way I made them stay put is putting clear nail varnish over it
Anisa Islam Thanks lovely! I am hoping they will let me exchange but I’ll have to wait and see when the boutiques re-open.
Les Smith Agreed - almost £300 for small ‘CC’ earrings 🤦🏻♀️
Chanel jewelry has always looked liked overpriced costume jewelry, hell some of these cheap dupes look better, I wouldn’t dare buy really expensive jewelry that didn’t look expensive and their jewelry definitely doesn’t look expensive just like tiffanys, they definitely play people for suckers making them pay really expensive prices for jewelry thats not even real gold or diamonds, it’s funny to me though, people like to flex and be show off paying luxury prices for not so luxury made items lol
Chanel is an example of a greedy and opportunistic capitalist.
I've always preferred Dior over Chanel, this has officially put me off Chanel.
I think if I ever decide to get a Chanel it will be second hand
And now second hand will unfortunately rise too 😞
Same! The classic flaps have never really been my style and have loved Dior ever since walking around the boutiques as a kid with my mom lol. This price increase just tips me over the fence on my opinion of Chanel.
@@FireNooodles that is truly a shame
@OUTCLASSER Support Team no need to be rude, take a chill pill
Burberry have also said that they will continue to pay all employees in full with higher-ups taking a 20% pay cut.
This is way I support much more that some brands are using their expertise to make ventilators or masks. I don't mind if you make profit, just don't be blind at what the world needs now and what can you offer.
Honestly for €7,000 I’ll rather buy an Hermès bag that a chanel.
I'd rather go to university
@@joshuathorp1557 hahahah
Yup
I think they want their customer base to be like Hermes, the people who aren’t bothered or affected by recessions - and the people who can’t spend their money on luxury travel at the moment spending it on luxury goods instead. Also people who buy in Asia often travel to Europe and buy over here, as it’s much cheaper even with the price of the trip. I guess they might increase their prices there by the % people would usually allocate to their travel.
@@iqrayousufzai6086 Yes. Chanel is practicing classism.
Exactly ... but they never will be Hermès ... as hard as they try. Not happening ... I no longer can afford Chanel like I once did ... I usually buy one classic per year ... but now it’s out of my reach ... I’m obviously not the clientele they want ... so be it. I’ll save up for a few years and get a Kelly. At least Hermès is a true investment piece ... Bye by Chanel ... the sad thing is while this upsets me Chanel could NOT care less.
@@MarriedtoDoofus I agree. The real problem for Chanel is that the quality and craftsmanship isn't in the same league as Hermes. Why would anyone pay those prices for factory mass-produced items?
@@MarriedtoDoofus But at the same time you can't get Kelly just like that (unless preloved)...
Fashion Weirdo I know ... it’s not something I can obtain easily and probably never will ... I learned a very valuable but expensive lesson today ... integrity matters. Maybe I’m not the 1% ... but I have the right to spend my earned money on anything I choose so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone in the process ... Hermès however expensive and exclusive they are ... at least maintained integrity ... their quality has not declined nor have their standards. If I never am able to get one so be it. At least I won’t be supporting a dishonest and frankly downward spiraling brand like Chanel.
I really think ever since almost every Instagram/youtube "beauty influencer" started carrying chanel bags it has really lowered the value and perception of these once iconic bags. They look so basic now. The price increase at this time is incredibly distasteful for chanel. So classless of them to do. The price and quality arent even comparable anymore. You're better off saving a bit more money and investing in Hermes.
v k 👏
Yes they are two a penny now😳😱
this was the exact reason for them to rise the prices at this time. disgusting morals.
yeah everyone will move to Dior and Hermes
Skyebright1 my next bag will be a Dior
I remember when bags from Chanel/Dior/LV/Hermes were symbols of achievement, life progress, hard work. And hard-working adults wore them. To show to themselves and the world that they achieved success. Those were the days that these products really had meaning. When KIDS/TEENS/laughable so-called "INFLUENCERS" began to wear all those products, those bags lost all credibility, symbolism and luxurious value for me. Worthless. (Plus, it always looks on those people as if those bags were borrowed from mom's cupboard).
Is your name Karen?
I view it more as a censorship... to tailor the accessibility of their products to the upper class. With price increases, this makes their products close to unattainable for middle class women.
To me Lv looks chavvy
I agree. I buy bags to celebrate my achievements and milestones. Chanel has always been that kind of bag for me. I agree that when influencers or I see teens wear them, it starts to feel like fast fashion. However, I also truly believe how you carry yourself and the bag. Wearing a classic flap bag while wearing an open plaid top with jeans all ripped up or sweat pants…I get ppl are free to wear what they want, but that just looks off.
I bought my first Chanel in 2015 at 26 years old when after struggling without a steady job post 2008 recession, I secured a permanent full time job with benefits . I only made 47k USD at the time but it meant a lot to me. Also, my middle name is Chanel.
The way I see it from a marketing perspective is that luxury brands have an ideal client in mind and this is an opportunity for them to appeal to this ideal client who will likely be unaffected by the possible threat of a looming recession whilst unappealing to anyone who they deem dissatisfactory. It also provides a shameless opportunity to increase profit margins when sales are likely plummeting x
Completely agree, Fin. I am an avid Chanel purchaser and while the price increases suck (especially when I think that I was able to buy my first medium classic flap for GBP 2700 vs the Trendy i bought last year in the US for about $6000), I do get it from a marketing perspective. I have heard lots of women complaining that Chanel has become too common and that everyone seems to have one.
Fin Smith Absolutely spot on Babe👍🏼 the drive behind a conglomerate this big is far greater in the long run outcome as they have their sites set on a target market that is highly developed and sustainable 🤷🏻♀️
JerushaCouture Very true! At the end of the day, they have to know their demographic. Thank you for your reply 🥰 x
True, but do ideal clients keep the lights on in their hundreds of stores?
Agreed. And if you are of that mindset this is the perfect time to shift to a different clientele.
For years Chanel have been trying to exclude a certain customer from buying into the brand. That's why the 'grand shopping tote' was discontinued, because the entry-level price was supposedly beginning to defame the brand as it was widely affordable. If anything it's a smart business decision on their part, to achieve the clientele they want. Yes it's rather distasteful to do so in such a time, but they don't exactly have to worry. Chanel will continue to sell.
* also Sophie if I may add, I truly do commend you for making videos such as these. You have truly created a lane for yourself in the context of luxury youtubers. Not to say their is anything wrong with them, but you provide depth and conversation among customers and interested-parties of luxury. Opening up these discussions to so many more people. Utterly well done. 💗
Shak s.m I heartedly agree!
yeah but the super elite aren't wearing a classic flap, people who save up to buy their first handbag are. The super rich buy bags that are as rare as possible. Chanel is still mass-producing classic flaps. The only market that buys mass branded bags is China and China is an interesting choice of target market to try and hit right now .....
@@princessofpigs The raising of their prices isn't to only access the super elite, they already have them; it's to exclude those who save for a bag, as Sophie mentioned multiple times, 'moving the goal post'. The justification becomes harder, and that is essentially the market they are trying to eliminate, those that have to justify it. And the 'super rich', do still buy classic flaps, as they are considered basics and for everyday use. Not every 'super rich' person is exclusively buying exotics. As for mass-producing, that is incorrect, Chanel stopped production all together on the 18th of March and have yet to resume. Also, China is the country that have the most disposable income when in terms of buying luxury, it's not strange, it's smart. (Again, this is not me agreeing with what Chanel are doing).
@@shaks.m5555 My boyfriends mother works for Chanel market research at their Paris offices. I know for a fact they did not choose to raise the price by this much, they had too. I'm sorry but Chanel does the cutting, sewing and most of assembly of their bags through cheap labour now. The only things that are done in Paris are custom orders and finishing. That's why Chanel haven't paid there stuff during covid-19. They've had waves of standing staff down or making them redundant and the brand was too proud to take a handout from the French government. The prices have been raised to combat the re-sale market actually, as Chanel sales are falling everywhere but the Asia Pacific (China, Hong Kong ect). Hermes for example have been trying very hard to target European auidence again because they are worried about being too reliant on China. When Covid is finished China could loose a lot of money. The economy there has not been good for a while and now the country is headed towards a recession. You might be like "but the rich are rich" well yes they are, but in China the communist laws work so that it is the responsibility of the richer members of society to support the poor. Their system is specifically designed for the government to pay as little money as possible. The _government_ don't want to give handouts they're not about that. Unless you are making billions of dollars or your ollllld school (last 100 years) rich in China it is very hard to keep wealth secure.
I have the money to buy a Chanel bag but now I just don’t want to. This slap in the face during recession reminds me when they supported Nazi during WWII... a judgment call I don’t agree with.
GuessWho someone knows her history!! Smart girl
Well, it was never a secret that Coco was supporting Nazi. However, it didn’t stop people buying her or LV goods. So, as mentioned above, people will always buy it to keep up with Joneses.
@@ndoucette9676 i just want to say, i love your supportive comment, and its not even for me. I wish more people could be like that online
They are trying to be like Hermès, where people can not access it, trying to be “exclusive”😌 Which Is ridiculous! It’s a bag! It’s not considered a precious gem😕
Lady in Pink I would say replica should be a choice since the price rise is too crazy!
A precious gem is still a stone, and you can’t eat it nor it won’t warm you up in the cold. Diamond sellers make us want diamonds and designer bags makers make us want designer bags. It’s all the same, completely unnecessary stuff which we’re desperate to get our hands on
THANK YOU SOPHIE. So many influencers are out here trying to spin this as a PR move and I'm pretty sure no one is buying it. Pardon the pun. So my boyfriends mum works in marketing in the Paris offices. This increase is not by choice. Chanel gets most of their bags made offshore in third world countries now, they just assemble the bare minimum finishing off the bag in Paris. As soon as Corona hit they had to start making the bags in France. Automatically that meant that at least a 10% increase had to happen. According to his mum Chanel saw it as an opportunity to increase prices really high to increase exclusivity.
*Chanel sales have been declining recently due to the re-sale market*
This will most defiantly make that problem worse but I heard the people who made this decision didn't really have the right background or education to do so, it's just number crunchers.
Chanel yearly sales are high yes, but *65%* or more of those sales come from China (or places like Hong Kong). Then the highest buyers are all Italian or French. So Chanel's target auidence is the trifecta of badly hit Coronavirus locations. This feels like a bit of a last ditch effort, if this doesn't work I imagine prices will have to drop, which hasn't happened since like 2006 so it will be really interesting to see what comes next. Chanel is getting very luke-warm receptions in the critic world post Karl's death. This is not the fold of Chanel but they could be hurtling towards a fall.
Yeah I don’t think this will work, if customers had the choice between Hermes and Chanel, they will chose Hermes
if Channel is trying to be Hermes, let them. let those who are after the brand and the status fight over their bags. there are plenty of other brands out there.
The power of being unbothered is the best and the scariest thing to such brands who overprice their products. Now some products do cost thousands of euros because of the way the materials have been worked on or the craftsmanship required but when you have a sloppy boy bag that won't last a few years and it costs around 10 000 EUR - no thank you.
Yes, I just bought a YSL Lou Lou bag - beautiful and much better value for money!
yeah, but the thing is it doesn't make sense in terms of their previous, relatively recent, actions. Chanel wants to be Hermes but they dress Billie Eilish who's fanbase are kids/teenagers...so like are they trying to be Gucci och Hermes? xD
This has definitely put me off Chanel. I thought about what you said about customer service and found that very interesting. I had that exact experience in the stores in Melbourne, Australia. The Chanel staff were very offhand. The Dior staff member was so lovely and even though I didn't buy anything he gave me a catalogue in one of their "packaging" bags. I've still remembered him and when the time comes I will be buying Dior.
As I side note, I love Burberry's new bags and the new TB logo and am happy to hear how helpful they've been during this pandemic.
Then we need to stop buying, im lucky to already own 3 bags and might not ever get a fourth one. There are others beautiful brands like YSL, Chloe, Burberry , Givenchy and we can consider.
They do but they are doing a 'Hermès' and people are fighting to buy and collect Birkins because they represent status, sense of belonging and all those human tendencies. Humans being stupid and weak everyone will fight and squeeze their budget to afford one. They do deserve our boycott though.
But it won't happen 🤷♀ I like Chanel since I am French especially. It's history and heritage. But I can't be part of this financially and morally it's not positive. At least you already have yours....
Emma Philomena hahaha I do, I was like to get 3 bags two blacks and one navy blue. I really wanted to add some fun colors but I think will consider others designers.
Versace has incredible leather craftsmanship. Underrated and prices aren't high. You may not resale... But the bag will last forever.
FCN_ Art yes I have two beautiful YSL bags a burgundy with silver hardware and a bright red with gold hardware.
The only cure for this is not buy the products. No demand they stop the greed. I get the luxury cost but now it’s ridiculous.
Actually they are trying to maintain the profit by raising the margin, so thats not going to happen
I honestly don’t think they’ll mind if you stop buying. In fact, it just might be what they want, so only the super bourgeois would have them
This
Samantha Khan totally agree. They don’t depend on us working class.
I love luxury items, but in times like this, I haven't even glanced at my bags. All I have been doing is reminiscing on my past holidays and wishing I could travel right now. All I can say is with these horrible price increases, I'd rather go on three holidays a year than get a bag.
HSC Me too! Enjoying reliving vacations through pictures and day dreaming of where I want to go once the pandemic passes. I haven’t switched out of my current bag since lockdown March 13th.
Tippytoe Yes! Definitely looking through pictures! Hopefully everyone can travel in the near future! I was hoping to go to Europe for Christmas this year and do some shopping!
HSC Yes hopefully we can all travel soon. My husband and I went to Europe the last 3 summers so we wanted to go to Japan this summer. But it looks like we probably won’t be able to travel freely again until 2021😞
Yes!!
Nicely put.
Honestly one of my dreams is to buy a Chanel bag in Paris but this type of things is really making me see the brand in a different light and I'm a bit disappointed. I'm very glad you do this type of videos so we can stay informed about what's going on and I really appreciate the research you put into it. You're the best ❤️
Most of these luxury brands rely on solid clients, or VIP who never look at the price tags and buy ready to wear, jewelry regularly instead of working class people(like me) who save up and buy Chanel/LV once or twice a year(some of them even limit how many bags you can buy per year). It's sad but true.. From a business angle, price increases do make their most important/ targeted customers feel good about the brand exclusivity and feel positive about the value of their purchases.
Thank you for all the info, Sophie! I can’t believe Chanel is making this kind of decision at this time!
Honestly, to me, Chanel wants to be Hermès. They want their trademark to be seen as a symbol for the highest social (economical) status. That's why they fight against their bags being sold second hand. They want to create an image for the brand where their clients are only those who are so rich that global economic problems can't affect them. So this may create the need for me and you to buy their products (ie, logo) to "feel" equally special, if that even makes sense.
As for Burberry, not many years ago they burnt their unsold clothes because they did not want them to be sold at lower prices and end up worn by the middle class. Huge environmental scandal back then.
Maria2803 I totally agree with you. My past experiences in Chanel Boutiques confirm that they want to be one the level of Hermes...about a year ago I once had a Chanel SA tell me that Chanel and Hermes were on the same level. At the time I was so confused by that comment but now I get it.
Agreed. I also think that they like the image that comes with all the youtubers and onlyfans girls buying and posting their products
Hahaha if anyone wants any Hermes bags, go to Japan, the pre loved market there is amazing, so so so many Hermes bags for sale!!!
@@hanemaru95 wow that sounds like a plan! I love Japan so thanks for the info ❤️
Burberry wasn't the only one and it's still rampant in the industry.
It's crazy that less than a year ago I bought the medium classic flap in Geneva for around 4700 euros and now they are almost 7000.
Louis Vuitton’s quality is absolute trash now. Yet they want $4000 for a canvas bag... hmmm
I’ve also noticed that Burberry has fallen behind the other brands a little bit. It’s so sad because it’s one of my favorites, but it’s great seeing how they are providing support during the pandemic. I love your controversial videos, you make very good points and I love hearing your thoughts. Great videos!!!!
I've always wanted to own something from Chanel, because they represent a kind of timeless elegance that has always fashinated me. There is a warm emotion (for me) even just buying Chanel makeup, so I wanted to buy a bag, but I have always gave up on the idea because I didn't want to waste my savings on a bag just yet, I had other priorities first. But now, seeing them using a global pandemic as stepping stone to become even more inaccessible is disappointing, heart-breaking and very cheap. They want the luxury to be disgusted by your money and the hard work you do to ear them, they don't want to simply sell their stuff, they want you to feel honoured they've let you give them your money, and this in a moment in history where there are 300.000 deaths and most people don't know how to feed their families. This is shameful.
Excellent video as always!! Business is business. At the end of the day, they’re selling a luxury good & the economics of a luxury good have NEVER been rational. I’ve long heard the Karl Lagerfield wanted to increase the price of a Chanel bag to €7000 So I guess they’ve finally met their target. 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️
You’ve said EXACTLY my thoughts on trying to manipulate what customer they get. People who could just justify and afford Chanel are being priced out to make it more exclusive and more “Hermes”
I am very disappointed in Chanel since I feel like they are pushing the marketing of their product by increasing the price. I feel like they want to raise exclusivity but instead of highlighting the history or the craftsmanship they are just pushing up the price and waiting for some logomaniacs to purchase their stock just cause it’s Chanel. They have a great selection of ready to wear which I enjoy more than any brand but I don’t want to be associated with that flashy brand anymore which had such a beautiful history and insane products who are ironically being (in my opinion) cheapened by a price increase. Love you and your videos ❤️
Well said.
PhoenixBella Aww Thx 🙏🏼
Yes, I think they are trying to shift the reason we, as consumers, are paying so much for a bag. Instead of quality and heritage, they want us to pay for the logo and the brand.
HI MY NAME IS JAJAHOI!!! Which I think we can all agree is sad
@@eliasenderlein9628 and if you buy for logo they don't care about quality of their products, can save money & time of production, save money. Double win as they make more from sales and save on cheaper production.
Since shops in Paris are opening now, several buyers already announced Dior price increases as well. You got very lucky with your latest lady Dior 😍
Chanel will NEVER EVER be at the same level as Hermès. The quality of the Chanel products, just like Sophie said, isn‘t that good - that would justify prices like that.
I am not suporting the Chanel Brand anymore. I rather buy other luxury brands where quality is known.
The price increases are absurd but honestly, I don’t think fashion houses as popular as Chanel care because they have already made a name for themselves. So people who love the brand and are prepared to spend whatever, whenever on a handbag will most likely pay the premium. I can’t imagine Chanel really caring too much about consumers who have to seriously budget and save religiously for a handbag. Those with disposable cash will grit their teeth and continue to buy because..... well.... Chanel 🤷♀️
naturallybronzed xo I don‘t think that‘s true necessarily. I work for a very rich woman that wears designer only and has a Birkin collection. And even she says that Chanel is ridiculously expensive and she‘s not willing to buy anything from them simply because the prices are not justifiable. On the long run they‘re ruining the Eueopean market for themselves, imho. At least I hope that people will not support those greedy brands anymore by buying from them.
Sandraishful I understand. I know my opinion isn’t true for every affluent person, but I can’t see them being as outraged as those who have to be a little less frivolous with their money.
I’ve never been into Chanel so perhaps that’s why I’m not as emotionally charged by their actions.
Don’t they want to sell? I won’t buy another Chanel. I have one.
Contrary to what people believe a lot of affluent people aren’t big and frivolous spenders after all you don’t grow wealth spending on bags. Like someone said before Chanel which is a mass produced bag isn’t worth it especially when quality and customer service has gone down. Hermès can do that because their handmade quality justifies the price as astronomical as it is. At these Chanel prices you might as well buy Hermès it’s a better buy for money
@@LittleMissDeeDee Yes, I absolutely agree. I do own Chloé, YSL and some others because I prefer the design over Chanel. For myself, most Chanel-bag looks grandma-ish and don't fit my casual style, but I've been eyeing a wallet on a chain. The price kept me from buying it, because I could get a proper Dior for the same money... I'm not infuriated for myself, I think it's just impertinent behaviour, esp. considering how the quality has gone down. Really not comparable to Hermes.
As a lover of LV, YSL and older iconic Mulberry, I was going to buy my first Chanel this year. But if the prices are going up and the quality is going down, then I may not bother. I’m in a privileged position regarding funds but I feel that just because you can, doesn’t always mean you should!!
Chanel handbags have always been my favorite, but I am so disappointed in their lack of integrity-to raise prices so much during such a time as this. They have lost my future patronage. Sophie, thank you for always being so refreshingly honest and down to earth. Now, you are a person of integrity and class!!
Im only 22, saving up for a mini coco handle (its been 2 years since i fell in love with the bag) and these price increases is a big slap in the face honesty 😭
BezTS
I’m ten years older than u
I have been saving for 5 years, and was just ready and bam 💥 they did this I’m so heart broken.
Go invest that money in something useful
You're much better off buying vintage! The quality now doesn't even compare.
theres not a rise on the coco handle.
Ajoh Wong 😭😭😭 i might just think over my interests on chanel and lean towards other brands!
I understand the price increases yearly but the price increase this time is outrageous!!!! I’m done with their handbags, I have enough to last a few lifetimes anyway.
I love dior so much, I think I will get my first luxury handbag from them first since their aura is fresh, elegant, and incredibly polite just like an elegant woman should be :)
Chanel on the other hand seems to be like the other sister who is more stuck up and snobby 😂
Yes, the Chanel customer experience and brand management just acts more snooty and stuck up. I really love Dior right now, and no news of a price increase anytime soon so that's good!
Dior is better than chanel!
HI MY NAME IS JAJAHOI!!! That’s wonderful to hear!
Yess! I really love dior, Prada and ysl they are my favourite luxury brands and not as overpriced as Chanel
I was about to buy a Chanel but went for Dior instead and am so happy with my decision. Go for Dior!
Do you know what I find really interesting about Chanel? In all of their media they use younger looking faces (like Krsten Stewart, for example) which makes the brand very aspirational to a younger crowd. But then, they turn their noses up at these same young adults who go into the stores. Just like you said, the treatment in the stores is ridiculous and everyone generally says the same thing. I get a more enthusiastic greeting from the security guard on duty than I do the SAs. The only thing I get from Chanel is perfume, and my current favorite (Biarritz) can be bought at Nordstrom, so no need to go into Chanel anymore. I agree, raising their prices is going to do nothing but hurt them in the long run.
My heart just shattered into a million pieces. Holy crap 25% increase I can't even fathom
It’s rare I ever watch any video on RUclips and don’t fast forward bits but I watched every single minute of this and loved it. I agree with every single point you made, I believe Chanel are tying to make themselves more exclusive and like Hermes but how can they when their quality is shocking. I’d planned to purchase a classic flap back in April for my birthday but given everything that was going on and their lack of online presence I wasn’t able to but thought that’s the first thing I’ll do when all this is over (not sure if it was financially a wise decision but this time has made me realise I need to live a bit more lol.) now that bag could possibly be £1k more just blows my mind!! I wish we could all boycott them and hope they lower their prices but once they’ve gone up I doubt they’ll ever go back down. Thanks for a great vid and also great to hear someone talking about purseblog, I’ve been a member for years haha 🥰
I agree with you Sophie- for Chanel to have such a huge price increase, they need to match their quality with their prices . Great video, very informative!
Hi Sophie. I will say when I went to Chanel in Paris (I'm from New York), they seemed nice enough to us. Also, perhaps not displaying on social media what they are doing during this time could possibly be a more humble move as opposed to saying "look at me!". However, the prices of these bags are ridiculous already and if they are going to increase during this terrible time, I can say that I will never be buying anything Chanel. Too bad, right before this I was considering purchasing a bag for my 50th b'day. Oh well. Hello Dior!
They are foolish to raise prices without raising quality as well. ESP considering they have warehouses outsourcing from China
I have been saving for a classic flap, but I'm over it after this. Honestly, if I am spending that much I'd rather go buy from Hermès. I completely agree with you that their quality just does not justify the cost. I understand prices continue to go up, but the price jumps Chanel approves completely turns me off from the brand. Vintage Chanel bags are better quality than the ones you buy in store!
I have good experiences buying pro-loved Classic Flaps from Japanese sellers on eBay.
I know many of these big Japanese sellers also have store showrooms in Japan.
(Check out RUclips, vintage Chanel stores in Japan/Tokyo)
I love the 24k gold plated hardwares on those vintage Chanels. Those hardwares still look like new even my bags are 25 to 34 years old and the leathers are showing their age.
These leathers, as long as they’re not worn too deeply, can be polished with a little leather lotion to bring back their glory, no problem.
I definitely think vintage Chanel Classic bags are worth investing.
get a vintage one, a lot of vintage ones are actually made better because the quality standards use to be better.
Precisely ☝️ I would never ever buy Chanel bags in store anymore after getting my classic flap 11yrs ago. The Quality just isnt worth the money. Vintage/ pre-loved is the way to go 👍
@@sarahjames1143 true
They are doing remote sales, but I was told it was only for existing customers in their database
These brands don't want their bags to be Designer Ready-To-Wear, they want them to be Haute Couture. Also, this should really clean out the second-hand market for them.
Great analysis Sophie! I really enjoyed that as it was thought provoking. I think you are on to something with the idea that Chanel might be trying to be more exclusive in their clientele. Guess what.... the second hand market will boom! :D
It does not feel luxury anymore! It feels suffocating and burdensome! This has left a very bad aftertaste!
Thank you for sharing all the info Sophie!
Sophie, these brands are not giving anyone,anything to look forward to. Raising prices at this time seems unsettling with all the illnesses, unemployed and so on,makes me uncomfortable with them ,like discarding anything going on at present.Any companies gouging prices at a time like this should be ashamed. Maybe that's tough words,but I believe we may all feel it,hope this is just for those offended at a time as this to being taken advantage of. If you don't agree please don't leave neg comments, thank you ~Abby
I agree with you, I think they are trying to be sneaky and raise prices but I think it's in poor taste to do it during this time. It has left a sour taste in my mouth. I won't be purchasing anymore of their products. Thank you for this video.
Interesting video. I’m in the camp of they are pricing people out. CHANEL clothing, handbags and shoes were never meant to be for the hoi polloi and that really was reflected in their designs, a bit fussy and fuddy duddy. Make-up, perfume and sunglasses were purchases made if you wanted a toe in their high end market. I think that changed with the rise of RUclips influencers, the introduction of the coveted BOY bag and many current 20-30yr olds having much more disposable income than previous generations. The classic flap handbag style was seen as your Granny’s handbag (she used to be the only one that could afford it) and no young person would have worn that style. For many, a CHANEL handbag - or several - has become a modern badge that says you have money and is becoming common, dare I say in the way Burberry’s famous plaid was also cheapened. This is image protection I reckon.
I heard from an Aussie blogger that the Chanel small classic flap has increased from aud7740 to aud9800! I just bought my small black caviar classic flap in GHW last Feb and I was really nervous about purchasing it then but I really wanted one and it was hard to find so I bought it. If I hadn’t bought it then, I definitely wouldn’t buy it now at the new price!
Chanel is still a "private company" They can adjust their prices with out reservation ( and I definitely think they are working to make their boutique items more exclusive - for sure )
LVMH price increase feel scheduled... like they do it, b/c being too afordable is bad for the brand. They may be continuing their "scheduled" price increases, as a "responsibility to stockholders".
At this point, people spending $ on luxury goods are doing it with expendable income.... the price increase might cause them to reconsider ( and if they don't, they didn't need that difference ). luxury goods are non-essential.
Catherine You LV has had two prices increases this year, at least on the US site. Prices just raised on many items last week
@@emmy7436 yeah, I've noticed an increase roughly every season T.T im an LV collector due to heritage (i still use my grandma's lv pcs from the late 70's) and the prices have just moved me to look at preloved more and more
If they are increasing things as a responsibility to their stockholders which very well might be true I feel like there should’ve been a PR statement with that to make it feel less disgusting to their loyal fans and customers
You're absolutely on the money here. Same happening in the watch world with Rolex, not so much a Covid price increase but in the last 2 years, Rolex prices are up 25% across the board and the quality is still the same... nothing against price increases in luxury goods but at least up the quality.
No boasting intended but my GMT 2 cost me 5950 back in 2017 now its 8k, LOL WTF.
product is not changed. Quality is not improved. I won’t buy it. It is not stocks, why would people pay more on the same product?
The issue is the demand for the bags had skyrocketed due, in part, to social media/influencers. I think Chanel are trying to make their items exclusive again. People will still buy the bags...
I don't necessarily thing this was a mistake on their part, I definitely think its a deliberate statement: Chanel is not for those affected by economic downturns or global crises. Chanel is aspiring to be only for the super-rich, not even the wealthy. It's a strategy to move into a specific part of the market. The quality of their goods doesn't need to improve either: what better way to display wealth than to buy a seven thousand euro bag that is essentially, after some wear, disposable? Like some kind of ultra-elite fast fashion.
Hi Sophie, thanks for making this video, great content as usual! I have bought from Chanel in the past and have several of their bags and other accessories, but this latest price increase has made me completely jaded towards the brand. Usually they have price increases on a yearly basis and no one tends to notice, but this time they are all over social media because everyone is complaining about them for a single price increase. This is a dead giveaway of how poor the timing of their decision was. I live in Switzerland and the price increases started on 11 May, which was the first day when shops reopened in the country after almost 2 months. So not only they were upping the prices, but they did not even have stock! Not only they have showed they are out of touch, but they are also arrogant in an extremely dumb fashion. On the other hand, I am quite grateful they have done this, because I don’t plan at this point to buy anything from their stores anymore, if I want a new bag I would definitely consider consignment, which is also way more sustainable, or Hermès, which is way better quality and more locally produced. Btw, re. LV price increase, that one is probably even worse, given it comes after they had just put up their prices in January and they have had long standing quality issues like Chanel. In 4 words: sorry, not worth it!
I called my Chanel store today - the lambskin WOC is now over $4000 Australian Dollars. I was shocked. She also said that the price increase happened yesterday.
You’ve made some really great points in this video I think to Chanel is getting to the point where so many people have their bags it might be the fear of them becoming almost a watered down version of luxury if that makes sense like coach used to be one that people would go after but because so many people ended up with coach bags and there were so many knock offs of it that that brand is one that nobody really talks about anymore… So maybe there is some thing to what you’re saying exclusivity will breed the upper Ashlon To keep who they deem as basic people outside of their store or from having access to their brand.
Let our feet do the talking; everyone’s priorities have shifted especially since Covid 19 and investing in things is certainly not as important as experiences and love. We don’t need the ‘things’ they are selling to be more of ourselves. We can live without continuing to make others billionaires. Time we got control and not worried about image. We’re all going to the same place to be eaten by worms anyway.
Beautifully said, we're all reprioritising - you can't take your house (or handbag) with you when you go! ;))
Sophie you've hit the nail on the head! Chanel want to be the same as Hermes... sad but so true. Apparently the price increase hits us in the UK tomorrow. It's awful such poor timing, its a disgrace!
My 2cent thoughts Chanel inventories aren’t gonna be much especially most of their popular bags are made in Italy and Italy has hit the hardest Covid 19 in Europe. Maybe it affects the staffs and factories and inventories. If they have limited inventories, prices going up is a way to reduce sales but maintain profit margins to cover lesser inventories.
I think you hit the nail on the head. The demand is still here but the supply has undoubtedly dropped substantially. They are trying to keep the profits up by raising prices.
Saw a tweet that stated "I think the Chanel price increase is a good thing. Being too accessible is never it" and I feel that that sums up the tone-deaf cult following of the brand. There's no exclusivity in low quality
A luxury brand should also have social values. Increasing prices in such difficult period of time shows that they don't respect their customers.
I choose not to support these brands any more. Not because I can't afford it, but because they don't meet my values.
Thanks for making this video, I was wondering what you have to say about this huge price increase! I totally understand having the regular price increases but 25% for that square mini is just crazy. I was waiting for this situation to improve then get a small CF or 224 when I visit my in-laws in the eu, but now, I'm not sure if I want to make the purchase anymore. Thinking I have to pay so much more (for a sized bag) than my medium CF is making me feel unbalanced! I might go for the rectangular mini or something else coz I don't feel like spending more than 5 thousand euros for a bag.
Even me, broke as a joke going to Dior at Harrods, so welcoming, so even If I had the money Chanel wouldnt be the one I put it towards. They just have this like, not arrogance, but arrogance, attitude about them, yikes.
Carlos D S I know right? Dior in Harrods are AMAZING and so kind 💞
Dior staff are honestly amazing, it doesn’t matter if other brands are more expensive and prestigious to me if customer service is friendly it makes me choose that store over competitors!!
Very timely and important video. You hit the nail on the head. Chanel is simply raising the quality of their shoppers. LV is slowly doing the same.
It’s also true that the amount of personal shoppers scooping up the boutiques inventory before a legit customer comes in, is massive. They might be attempting to slow this practice down as well.
Time to buy from local crafts people ...they need your support more than ever ..
The real rich won't be effected by this pandemic...this is who don't ask the price ..
As they say if you need to know the price you can't afford it ..
Step away from the counter.
As always you are right on target Sophie! Love it.
I’ve been saving up for a Chanel handbag to buy in store and after this whole price increase, I ultimately decided to purchase secondhand, which I got a good deal for (in today’s climate). It’s not perfect and will definitely have signs of wear but it’s nowhere near the ridiculous cost of a new Chanel flap and it will suffice for my Chanel flap bag dreams. I’m sad to say I think this will be my first and last chanel handbag purchase..
I absolutely believe they're trying to compete with Hermes and also pricing people out of the potential client pool. Exclusivity appears to be the goal.
Girlfriend I agree with your thoughts about Chanel wanting to change their demographics of Who buys their handbags. Some of it seems to be Pure Greed. , I see too many young people walking around with those classic flaps and wocs, Chanel has been loosing their prestigious place in luxury especially when Hermès is the competition?. I always wondered why people are trying to get rid of their Chanel bags, I see so many of them in the resale market looking Dull,flat and disfigured online .so obviously they’re not worth the Price! Such a shame that they now seem to be desperate at this moment in time.
Social media has ruined the brand.
Couldn’t have put it better myself
Well said you have said exactly what I was thinking. Let's be honest if you can afford to spend that much on a handbag you would buy Hermes.
Great insightful video Sophie. It’s simply ridiculous, not just the timing, but the constant increasing of prices, over the years is simply ridiculous . The quality has gone down considerably. We must band together and send Chanel a message with out pocket book( money 💰).
There comes a time when enough is enough. £7k for a handbag that costs a fraction of that to make? When are people going to realise how ridiculous this is?
Everyone to their own.
Tbh, I have always wanted a Chanel bag but this greed makes me think, even if I had the money, I woukd spend my money elsewhere.
Thanks Sophie. Lot's of love to you and David. 😘
Totally agree Sophie not the right time! Totally went off LV been a valued customer for 16 years and I don’t think I will buy any more from them for this reason. I remember buying the speedy 30 around 13 years ago for £400 now it’ s nearly £1000 😱
If they sold online then they wouldn’t need to recoup monies from the last two months. I think now that a Chanel handbag is far out of my reach 😩
I wouldn't buy their products if I was a multi millionaire
you should think the over way around. now you are out of their reach. save your money for better investment or purchases. enjoy your life, your money, your rules.
julijakeit that’s a good way of looking at it 😊
Sophie, your channel really is one of, if not the best luxury channel out there. The fact you're so knowledgeable and make the effort to fully research the brands' efforts for Covid-19 in order to spark such an engaging conversation about what Chanel has done really is brilliant, and I don't see many other luxury channels do this. Forever a down to earth, intelligent lady, and pure class.
It is very smart move. They are scaling down and aiming for highest income clientele who don't care about the crises. Chanel wants to position themselves as the top luxury brand after years of growth and being mainstream, so it totally makes sense. Also, they have huge cosmetics & skincare business, so there is plenty of product for poor people to enjoy :P :) So.. they have haute-couture, they have prestige, legacy, they are far superior than Hermes.
Wow, that’s so nice that Burberry is doing that! This is what this big companies should be doing right now, This is not the time to be doing this ridiculous 25% price increase, not that it matters at this time, but a lot of luxury lovers are being turned off buying their products because of this😏
They are doing a Hermès... People are gonna want even their entry stuff even more. Or so Chanel think. I am a bit disapointed as a French because it's a heritage brand and almost a national treasure that doesn't care about the people who supported the brand for decades. Regarding Covid, LVMH has produced masks to help but to be fair this is how Bernard Arnault is. He acts more than just a Ceo and always wants to also be a patriot. I believe he gets along well with Emmanuel Macron who probably has massive respect for him... Sorry for the bit of French politics. I wish Chanel was more like LVMH.
A good patriot would not try to evade tax as much as he does :/
Isn’t Chanel owned by a German family?
Chanel quality cannot even compete with Hermès Chanel of the past maybe but today completely overpriced
Hermès is overpriced also but at least they can back it up
@@chestercat13dotdotdot68 yes I agree. I meant he wants to be more involved. The Arnault try to count and show how important they are. LVMH also gave money for Notre Dame while we never hear about Chanel.... I didn't say they are nice people but they kind of show, we are here, look what we do for France in term of its image etc. I don't know everything but Wikipedia says Chanel is a French brand. Not sure what nationality the brothers owning it are. They are quite discreet whereas the Arnault appear slightly more in the medias. Probably multiple nationalities. Is ''rich', '1%', a nationality lol? Those often are quite cosmopolitan people aren't.they. All I know is I feel even more betrayed by Chanel because it's French and I am French. I know that doesn't make sense lol but that's how I feel 🤣
Hi Sophie, love your videos. Just thought about the price increases and ultimately what a lot of people are forgetting is that selling bags is a business. The price increases are not really a surprise, due to Covid shop closures and even with furlough payment, you have to remember that these luxury brands are not making money, and this is dipping into profit margins.
They will continue to increase price on the goods they sell, with the aim to ultimately double the prices of their goods writhin the next year or two to cover the economic downfall. Also do not for a second think this is the last price increase for the year. Additionally, these brands justify the increase in price because of alleged ‘raw material price increases’ such as leather etc but ultimately it’s all about the money. I love your videos and hope your well. Xx
I'm in australia and the price increase has already happened. The small classic flap has increased by 27% from $7740 to $9820. The square minis have increased by 31% from $4560 to $5980. I'm gobsmacked
😱
ok so this is what I think - I think Sophie is absolutely right that this is something reactionary and deeply seated in profit-seeking that I think they will regret in the long run. Chanel International has been in a complete loss of identity after the death of our beloved Karl - you can see it in their collections, their stores and even in the manner of conducting business. Karl had his hands in everything and really carried Chanel. After his death, I think the higher-ups started thinking where Chanel should go. Karl in the 70s and 80s was the resuscitator in the fashion world. He modernized Fendi, and Chanel, almost dead after Coco, sought Karl. He was keen on embracing the youthful woman, he preserved the legacy of Chanel, but continuously wanted to appease the younger woman: the daughter, the young professional, the fashionable new mom.
so after Karl passed, Chanel had to reconsider their client. do they want to follow in Hermes' footsteps and seek the creme de la creme with timeless designs they are renowned for, without having to appease a younger crowd, all while still being profitable with their astronomical prices; or did they want to follow LVMH who are the industry's giant? and I think they are chose Hermes. but not really.
But let me tell you why Chanel can NEVER be Hermes. First of all, Chanel has nowhere near the same level of workmanship and savoir faire in the leather goods as hermes. Say they do increase the quality of their product to match hermes: first off, there's simply not enough craftspeople in the world at the caliber they would need. Say they find them, the supply would be IMMENSELY reduced from what they currently output. They have WAY more brick and mortar buildings, thanks to the accessibility that Karl wanted, which would make it impossible for the brand to be able to run with such a small supply and high levels of exclusivity. So I think the only way for them to be exclusive and emulate Hermes without all the hardwork of being a better house is "jack up the prices" - it is a really naive PR mistake honestly since even your top 10% clients, are still going to want to see perfection if you charge them that.
The ballerina flats are NOT affected thank GOD! Also THANK GOD FOR RESALE! This is why I shop Fashionphile and TheRealReal! Sorry all of you were CRAZY anyway for spending $4000+ on a bag!!!
Prices on Fashionphile are also big, i ve seen quite a few flaps with price between 4000-6000+$
P L true but I would never buy a Chanel bag anyway, they’re so ugly. I like the flats because I have narrow feet and they’re elegant and keep shape.
New prices have already taken effect here in Australia. There is no way for them to be sneaky because the rise is substantial you just can't go unnoticed
Don’t complain take your money else where. We have the power the consumers. Stop giving your money to them; simple!
It really is just that easy.
completely agree and im gnna do my part! 😑
Another thing CHANEL is doing is cancelling orders. 5 of the last 7 orders I made in the last two months were cancelled a week or so after I made them. I’d get a random email that said the order was cancelled and they could never give me a solid reason why. Said my bank card wouldn’t process the order. EXCUSE ME?! I told them not to insult my intelligence. I’ve used the card everywhere else no problem. I don’t know what’s going on with their customer service. CHANEL is behaving daft with these price increases and cancellations.
Girl did you hear the foolishness that happened in Korea because of the increases? There were hundreds of people lining up outside of Chanel and Louis Vuitton RIGHT AFTER AN OUTBREAK IN SEOUL, because they noticed the pricing removed. So they wanted to grab bags and clothes with their credit cards before the prices went up 7-17%. So now Korea is considering shutting down all luxury stores until the new outbreak is under control. We were doing well in Korea and then this happens. Koreans love luxury to the point where it's almost hypebeast level and it was pretty scary. I had to cancel my trip to Seoul this weekend because of this. I can't see my bae again. I haven't seen him since the Seoul outbreak began May 5th.
bought my first chanel 3 years ago. its classic and thats enough for me = )