Chanel brands are expensive because they use high-quality materials, rely on meticulous handcrafting and limited production, strategically price their products high to indicate exclusivity and luxury, and intentionally avoid sales, discounts or outlets in order to maintain an elite prestige perception that wealthy shoppers are willing to pay premium prices for.
When it comes to luxury fashion, few brands can compete with the prestige and name recognition of Chanel. Since its founding by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in 1909, the French high fashion house has become synonymous with exclusivity, style, and of course, eye-watering price tags. But why exactly are those interlocking C logos so gosh darn expensive? Let’s count down the top 10 reasons.
Top 10 Reasons Why is Chanel Brand So Expensive
Top Reason 1
It all starts with the materials. Whether it’s the Wool, silk, or leather, Chanel spares no expense when it comes to sourcing the finest quality raw goods for its clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories.
While they never disclose details about suppliers or fabrics, you better believe everything is topoftheline to justify charging thousands for a single purse or jacket. They set the bar impossibly high.
Top Reason 2
Speaking of handbags, Chanel’s most iconic offering – the 2.55 quilted bag with chain strap – requires expert craftsmanship to construct. Seasoned artisans meticulously piece together hundreds of components by hand, from the quilted exterior to the Burgundy liner, chain straps, and hardware.
The whole process takes 8 hours or longer per bag. That’s a ton of skilled labor before it hits store shelves.
Top Reason 3
As a luxury brand, Chanel says “no thanks!” to mass production. Instead of relying on factories churning out products en masse, Chanel maintains complete control over its supply chain.
Most items are produced in small quantities in the brand’s own French ateliers by the aforementioned teams of highly trained seamstresses, giving everything an undeniable mark of quality and rarity that commands premium pricing.
Top Reason 4
Here’s another pricing predictor: location, location, location. Prime real estate doesn’t come cheap, and Chanel operates over 310 boutiques worldwide placed prominently in some of the world’s most prestigious shopping areas.
Those imposing Chanel flags you see perched atop glowing black storefronts? You better believe that kind of visibility and convenience adds a few zeros to price tags.
Top Reason 5
While logos might spell tacky for some designers, that iconic interlocked CC monogram actually holds major value in Chanel world. Gabrielle Chanel originally introduced her initials as a hallmark of craftsmanship applied only to select luxury pieces like handbags.
Today, the logo retains that elite quality and serves as an instant indicator of an authentic Chanel garment or accessory. For counterfeiters, it also makes pieces more challenging to duplicate – yet another reason genuine Chanels fetch higher prices.
Top Reason 6
Here’s a business term that describes most of Chanel’s pricing strategy – Veblen goods. Named after economist Thorstein Veblen, these luxury items derive perceived value and demand based on their exclusive price alone. By pricing prohibitively high compared to substitutes, Chanel positions its goods as aspirational and rarefied just by virtue of their extreme expense – even if production costs are lower. Simply put, high price = perceived better quality.
Top Reason 7
Another key factor: Chanel refuses to compromise brand integrity by offering discounts or appearing at outlet malls. Many other prestige designers gradually depreciate over seasons to spur sales. Not so for Chanel. What’s displayed in boutiques today is what you’ll pay full market retail value for next season.
No markdowns, promotions, deals or bargains to be had. While this lack of flexibility may frustrate budgetconscious shoppers, it cleverly enhances exclusivity and willingness to pay higher prices among its wealthy target demographic of movie stars and elite clientele. Staying out of discount chains preserves prestige.
Top Reason 8
Celebrity culture may veer towards the excessive at times, but Chanel has expertly leveraged Hollywood endorsements since the days costume designer Coco Chanel dressed leading ladies on and off the silver screen. Getting an Alist star to don a brand instantly rockets it into public consciousness.
And Chanel maintains its red carpet mainstay status by pricing clothes and accessories high enough that only the rich and famous can afford it. Celeb association = heightened demand = higher prices.
Top Reason 9
Here’s an interesting quirk in human psychology. We rely heavily on price to indicate quality, especially for expensive goods or services where objective performance metrics are limited or complex to evaluate firsthand. This cognitive bias works heavily in Chanel’s favor.
Even if, say, a $150 comparable cashmere sweater offers the same form, function and fabric, Chanel’s $3500 version seems intrinsically better because brain thinks: “the more expensive, the better quality it must be!” We often default to using high prices as an indicator of high quality.
Top Reason 10
Last but definitely not least: Chanel items are expensive because people keep paying astronomical prices! Basic economics explains Chanel’s skyhigh costs. At these price points, Chanel caters exclusively to shoppers for whom money is truly no object.
With an estimated worth over $100 billion globally, Chanel could surely charge less and sell much higher quantities. Yet they know demand remains strong enough among the ultrawealthy that Chanel can keep prices toweringly tall. As long prices shoppers meet, why lower costs and erode that elite prestige perception?
Is Chanel a good brand?
Yes, Chanel is considered one of the top luxury fashion brands in the world, known for exceptional quality, craftsmanship, prestige, and setting industry trends since being founded in 1909.
Are Chanel Products good?
Chanel brand goods like their clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories and beauty items are excellent in terms of luxury materials, construction, style and enduring value over time.
Are Chanel items worth the price?
For the wealthy shopper not constrained by price, Chanel products are viewed as worthwhile investments in timeless fashion by a house that retains resale value should pieces be sold later.
Where to buy Chanel items?
Chanel operates over 310 boutiques carrying their full range of luxury apparel, handbags, shoes, accessories, eyewear and beauty items usually found prominently in major high-end shopping areas globally.