Ensuring A Cheery Holiday Season For Luxury Brands with DeluxePad

As members of the luxury industry, we have all experienced the feeling of unease and uncertainties that have been permeating international markets over the past years. Nevertheless, from the perspective of DeluxePad, the bespoke digital media which exclusively addresses owners and passengers of private aircraft worldwide, there is a reassuring observation when dealing with the wealthy individuals of this world: The regularity and the increase of wealthy consumers’ travelling overseas on private aircraft.

The purpose of our research: To compile and share exclusive insights

Having launched operations in early 2014, DeluxePad is the new kid on the block and this explains why our observations of UHNWIs behaviours may differ from those of established and well known surveyors of the market, as we bring new insights to bare.  Contrary to most, our analysis is conducted in order to fine tune our own services and to clarify the needs and wants of our end-user UHNW’s. The information we collect comes from trustworthy sources: The nine important jet operators we supply, their pilots and crews as well as private aircraft owners and passengers themselves.

A sharper understanding of the globe-trotting Big Spender

Travel and luxury shopping often go hand in hand for ultra-wealthy populations and this is even more evident during Q4. This is a period when business related travel increases as organizations and individuals do their utmost to “make their numbers” and close deals before the bell tolls at midnight on December. It is also a time when leisure motivated flying picks up, either towards warmer climes or linked to end-of-year events and activities such as wnter sports. One common denominator in both instances: Travel is an opportunity for big-ticket shopping.

We observe that nearly 42% of private jet flights during Q4 are projected to be for business, while 38 % are an even mix of personal and business flying. Less than 20% of flights were categorized as mostly or almost always personal.

UHNWIs – A highly mobile population to be addressed while “on the move”

Compared to 2015, nearly 52% of current private jet users plan to fly the same amount or more over the next 3 months, according to a survey conducted by AP Strategic with DeluxePad’s 9 private aviation partners.
Private aviation activity is often summarized by the analysis of most frequented city pairs, and of the major private jet airports in terms of departures and arrivals. The following chart reflects our statistical breakdown of the most travelled routes between cities during Q4 over the past 3 years:

It is important to note that, in many cases, seasonal travel of the ultra rich is motivated by their movements to and from their primary and secondary residences. The following table, provided by New World Wealth, shows that considerable displacements of the wealthy and their families at the end-of-year, offers opportunities to entice strong growth in big-ticket spending by attracting both local and visiting UHNWIs

Projecting into the future> Q4 2016: steady growth / evolving mix

Our estimations for Q4 follow those of other market analysts in that this year’s Q4 will continue to attract big-ticket spending by the own ultra-wealthy on the move.
Our partners project stability and increases of movements from certain city pairs, indicating more traffic emanating from SE Asia, the Golf, the US and intra-Europe. Operators also note increases of movements with passengers from the African continent. On the other hand, flights from Russia and Turkey seem soft and of lesser importance compared to previous years.
In addition to well healed established high-net worths, this year will show higher numbers of newly wealthy consumers who will be travelling overseas by private jet more regularly and more widely, where they are exposed to global luxury styles and tastes.
Also, with the holiday shopping season stretching ever earlier in many major cities, a growing number of wealthy consumers are reported to have already begun their shopping in September and October and are sure to continue as the year nears its end.

We carefully watch the holiday season not only because it generates so much revenue for brands,
but also because it sends a message for the year to come.
If you consider the world’s wealthiest as part of your communication strategy
you should consider the multiple opportunities DeluxePad can offer your brand
to communicate in a one-to-one interactive manner with the world’s wealthiest.