Fly London shoes are expensive because they use high-quality leathers and materials, handcrafted construction methods, and advanced technologies while maintaining a unique, premium brand image that requires increased costs for design, marketing, retail stores, and customer service.
Fly London shoes have gained a reputation for being some of the most expensive casual shoes on the market. With price tags often over $100 or more for a pair, Fly London footwear is an investment.
But what exactly makes these shoes so costly compared to other brands? There are several factors that contribute to the high prices of Fly London shoes.
Top 10 Reasons Why Fly London Shoes Are So Expensive
1. High-Quality Materials
Fly London uses top-grade leathers and other materials in their shoe construction. Full-grain and Nubuck leathers from Europe are crafted into Fly London shoes. These leathers are soft and durable, but cost more than lower-quality materials.
The leather is often treated to give a distressed or vintage look, adding character and style. The details and embellishments on Fly London shoes, like buckles, grommets, and stitching are also well-made from premium materials.
2. Handcrafted Construction
Many Fly London shoes are still entirely handcrafted, even stitching and gluing the soles on by hand. This artisanal construction takes more time and care than mass manufacturing shoes. Skilled cobblers craft each pair to ensure the highest quality end product.
The labor required to make the shoes plays a major role in the higher prices. Very few brands put this much handcrafted detail into each pair of casual shoes at this price point.
3. Unique Style
The designs of Fly London shoes set them apart from other brands. They have an edgy European style you can’t find anywhere else. The unexpected combinations of textures, colors, and shapes make their shoes true fashion statements.
All of these original design elements require extra thought and effort compared to basic styles. Fly London has to put funds into design and development to create these fresh takes on casual footwear. The costs of creating this unique style get passed along in the retail pricing.
4. International Brand
Fly London shoes originate from Europe, specifically England, rather than Asia where most affordable shoe brands are made. Producing the shoes closer to home allows for better quality control and craftsmanship. But it also increases production costs with higher wages for workers.
Most competitors move manufacturing abroad to save on expenses. Additionally, distributing the shoes globally from England adds to transportation costs. As an international brand, Fly London incurs higher costs getting their products to consumers worldwide.
5. Small Batch Production
Fly London does not produce their shoes in massive bulk like big sneaker brands. They manufacture smaller batches of each design. This allows them to focus more on quality workmanship for every pair before moving to the next style.
But small batch production is less efficient and more costly per unit than mass manufacturing. Larger companies can spread production costs over millions of pairs. With fewer shoes per style, Fly London has to charge more to cover their expenses. Limited edition collaborations produced in very small quantities also demand higher prices.
6. Advanced Comfort Technologies
Fly London incorporates advanced comfort technologies into their shoe designs, like removable footbeds, flexible soles, and anatomical arch support. These features require specialized materials and extra production steps that cheaper brands skip.
But they make Fly London shoes easier to wear for long periods while walking. The comfort features are part of the brand’s identity that customers expect. Investing in these technologies eats into profit margins somewhat, but gives Fly London an advantage over flatter, less comfortable designs.
7. Celebrity Endorsements & Marketing
Like most fashion and lifestyle brands, Fly London allocates a chunk of their budget to marketing. They engage in expensive print and digital campaigns featuring celebrity brand ambassadors. Paying for endorsement deals and advertising spreads brand awareness but also increases the cost of each pair of shoes.
The cost is passed along to the customer since branding and marketing are essential investments for luxury companies. Fly London’s edgy image and endorsements add to the perceived value alongside quality and design.
8. Retail Stores & Presentation
Fly London invests in attractive retail spaces to showcase their shoes and brand image. Their flagship stores and other authorized retailers must present the shoes properly to customers. The stores’ upscale decor and sales staff make the shopping experience align with the premium pricing.
Cheaper brands often just sell wholesale to discount outlets. The costs of real estate, decor, staffing and visual merchandising for physical stores all contribute to Fly London’s necessary profit margins on each pair sold.
9. Customer Service & Support
Providing high-quality customer service also plays a role in Fly London’s pricing. Customers expect careful attention when spending this much on shoes. The brand offers perks like free shipping and returns, exchanges, repair services, and a customer support team.
Providing these services requires additional overhead expenses that don’t exist for online or big box discount brands. Fly London absorbs these costs while maintaining profitability through their slightly higher prices.
10. Overall Brand Image
Fly London has curated an on-trend, premium brand image that sets them apart. From the quality and design to marketing and stores, every element aligns to justify the higher cost to customers.
The brand signals that these are luxe, fashion-forward shoes worth paying more for. Fly London competes with designer brands even at lower prices by offering a comparable brand experience. The overall aura around Fly London footwear makes the prices feel appropriate within the fashion shoe market.