In the 90s, Coachs distinctive Americana products were a hit with the stylish set. At that point, Coach owned 50 stores worldwide, and was generally regarded as a luxury brand. Then, in the early 2000s, logo Replica Burberry Handbags and leather alternatives became a hot trend (remember the nylon Prada backpacks and Gucci GGs?), and Coach responded to the market by creating its (in)famous nylon bag covered in Cs. Their new line of products was a mass-market hit, and more than a thousand Coach stores sprung up across the globe. It seemed they had a store in every mall in America (with an outlet across the street)!
It’s complicated. We love Coach and how theyve evolved from a small family leather goods business in the 1940s to a worldwide brand that democratized luxury and created global trends. But our relationship has been rocky, as we and other fashionistas have embraced and then rejected the brand time and again. Why is our relationship with Coach so darned volatile?
While the nylon logo bag and a diversified product/distribution strategy helped the company grow into a multibillion dollar behemoth, its mall brand reputation began to alienate the very fashionistas who helped to make it an iconic label. And though Coach is performing well internationally, its U.S. growth has been limp in the last few years. But Coach pays attention to what women want, and responds quickly to rapidly changing consumer trends. And with Fall 2013’s release of a new Coach bag, we ask: Is it time to reignite our tumultuous love affair with Coach?
Recently, the new Coach Borough bag has been gaining popularity. Sarah Jessica Parker toted it while running errands, then it was photographed on the arms of Jessica Alba, Lea Michele, and other famous names. We love the pebbled leather, confident silhouette, and barely-there logo. The bag is simple yet functional, with just the right mix of modern sleekness and old-school Coach structure. In fact, we think that the entire Coach Legacy line looks just as chic as higher-end structured bags by designers like Kate Spade and Chanel. Purseblog described it best when they noted that it is “decidedly less, well, Coach-y” than past releases. But what IS the most interesting thing about Coach’s Borough bag?
The price. Starting at $598 (and going up to around $1,000), the Borough appeals to the same woman who obsesses over the Hermes Birkin, or craves the latest Valentino it bag. It’s more affordable than some high-end labels, but still carries a pricetag that says, this is a luxury status symbol. And the returned focus on luxury seems to be working: While revenue was down for Coach in the last quarter overall, U.S. sales of $400+ handbags were actually up.
Tradesy’s own data also tells us that Coachs new line has given the brand an equity boost: Relatively few sellers are posting the Borough bag and other Legacy collection items, which indicates that those who already have the bags are satisfied and holding onto it tightly. And while Coachs nylon logo bags continue to sell swiftly on Tradesy, they typically sell to a customer whose shopping preferences skew toward mass market brands like Ann Taylor and Talbots. Meanwhile, sales are way, way up for vintage and vintage-style leather Coach bags, like the ones pictured below, and the Tradesy member who buys this bag is typically trend-savvy, also shopping designer brands like Helmut Lang, Acne, and Rebecca Minkoff. This indicates that the fashion-forward crowd is gravitating toward Coach again and that your 90s staple bag may become a hot commodity in 2014!
Were convinced that its time to fall back into Coachs arms with a warm embrace. Their newest styles have made us nostalgic for the Burberry Replica Handbags we fell in love with way back when, and as long as they keep producing the stylish, high-quality goods that piqued our interest in the first place, well keep buying. How about you? Shop Coach bags on Tradesy.
