Just the mention of the name “Gucci” elicits the sense that an item is going to be expensive, and for some, out of their price range, but for those who can afford to buy the very best, it’s a name that is associated with several different beliefs. Gucci stands for prestige and status, for quality, and for desirability. We’ve heard the question asked often, Why is Gucci so expensive? For those who would like to know the real truth behind the high price tags, here’s the answer.

Establishing value

Just like any fine collectible piece, it is only as worth as much as someone is willing to pay. Gucci is a brand that sells items for high prices and they’re not having any trouble selling the inventories they stock. There are a lot of people who simply cannot wrap their minds around the fact that a simple T-shirt can top over $600 after taxes. It’s not impervious to damage, any more than a $5 T-shirt that you can pick up at your local Walmart, and if you wear, wash and dry it often enough, it will wear out. What makes Gucci a brand that is so highly valued? Loyal fans of the brand don’t mind paying high prices, and in fact, if they were budget-priced, the average Gucci clientele would likely stop buying the brand. One of the reasons for this is exclusivity. Not everyone can afford to buy Gucci, and it’s a brand that for some, offers a sense of sophistication, status, and prestige. The logo appearing on Gucci items suggests that the owner has good taste, solid financial standing and demands the best.

Building a reputation

Gucci is one of the most well-known and beloved brands in the world. Their designs never go out of style. They’re prominent in high-society fashion circles and their designs are extremely appealing. Historically, Gucci began as a small company in Florence Italy. It was established in 1921, and Cuccio Cucci developed luggage and small leather goods with designs that appealed to British nobility. He catered to aristocrats, and as the brand continued to grow and add other items such as fashion accessories, Gucci brought on the finest artists to design their wares. Grace Kelly ordered a silk scarf to be made for herself from Gucci. This made replications articles desired by fans of the late Princess/movie star. Their lines were extended to shoes, and one pair of loafers currently sits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Italian leather has long been idealized as being of the highest quality, durable, hand-crafted, and very expensive. This ideal has been upheld through the decades and the reputation of all Gucci products is solid throughout the world.

The elements of Gucci products

There are certain essential elements which combine to build value in a product, and Gucci is no exception. The first, as previously discussed, is reputation. Royalty and celebrities choosing the brand gave it a good start. The second is quality. The previous clientele established their preference for the brand and this set a precedent. They could afford the very best that any craftsman or artisan had to offer, and Gucci fulfilled both their needs and preferences for high quality and aesthetically pleasing goods. Therefore, the elements of design, quality in production, the desirability of the goods and the marketing all combine together to establish a high value by enough clients for the brand to set their prices.

Product manufacturing, design, and marketing

Gucci is a high-end designer that procures raw materials of high quality and uses production methods that are in line with what their clients deem acceptable. Without controversy about their methods, there is little to interfere with the popularity of the brand. In addition, Gucci employs the talents of the top fashion designers in the world to ensure that the finished goods are in sync with current fashion trends, (they often set the trends), and timeless so they never go out of style. The brand also has a high overhead in marketing expenses. There is a lot that goes into the creation of each product and this demands a higher selling price, but the overhead cost alone is not the only consideration for price-setting.

Consumer demand

Gucci is a brand that is consistently in demand with a loyal consumer base. It’s one of the most desirable brands throughout the world. Some like the fact that it is exclusive and others will go without just to own a Gucci branded item. As odd as it might sound to some, the price is one of the factors that makes Gucci so appealing.

Imposters

Gucci products are so highly prized in commerce that there are several counterfeiters who manufacture knock-off versions of many different Gucci products. There is a big market for the brand, and this is one of the reasons why you must be careful when making a purchase from a non-authorized dealer. Only authentic products hold their value, and there are small differences which set the knock-offs apart from the genuine article.

Final thoughts

If you’ve been wondering why Gucci is so expensive, it’s for much the same reasons that any other high-end brand offers their products at what are for some, prohibitive. While there are consumers who do not see the value in this and other designer brands, there are loyal shoppers who don’t mind the price, even if they have to scrimp and save to afford Gucci. The company has been around since 1921, serving royals and celebrities from around the globe, and they continue to do so to this day. Gucci is intricately tied in with high-society and top fashion-designers. It’s become a lifestyle brand for certain and the price? Well, if it was not expensive brand new then it’s probably not a Gucci at all.