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8 Luxury Brands African Millionaires Love

8 Luxury Brands African Millionaires Love

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Financial analysts predict that luxury retail sales, which have been steadily growing at over 5 percent a year in Africa, could reach $5.2 billion by 2019. Luxury brands are looking to capitalize on this growth and are vying for storefronts in the continent’s luxurious new shopping malls. Many brands already have an African client base. Those clients are paying a premium to have their goods shipped to Africa — notoriously expensive when it comes to transport and shipping. Manufacturers believe that opening brick and mortar locations can boost sales. Here’s a look at some of the luxury brands that African millionaires love.

Sources: Howwemadeitinafrica.com, Bloomberg.com

Brandessencenigeria.com/Ermenegildo Zegna opening in Lagos
Brandessencenigeria.com/Ermenegildo Zegna opening in Lagos

Ermenegildo Zegna

Ermenegildo Zegna is an Italian luxury goods brand for men. Zegna opened its first sub-Saharan brick and mortar location in Lagos, Nigeria in 2013 and then went on to open one in South Africa. Zegna quickly landed a spot on the Diamond Walk promenade in the Sandton City Mall in Johannesburg—one of the top luxury shopping areas in the country. Zegna’s neighbors here include Prada, Jimmy Choo, and Burberry, says Bloomberg.com. The store also has a boutique in the Morocco Mall in Casablanca, says Archiviozegna.com.

Robinsprong.com/Paul Smith in Cape Town
Robinsprong.com/Paul Smith in Cape Town

Paul Smith

Paul Smith is a British men’s and women’s clothing brand that has locations in the most upscale shopping areas around the world. In Africa, the brand has locations in the wealthy South African suburbs of Hyde Park (named after London’s) and Parkhurst. The Hyde Park location boasts a more prestigious look and feel, with limestone flooring and mid-century inspired brass that earned it a full spread in Elle.co.za.

Venussbay.com.ng
Venussbay.com.ng

Hugo Boss

The brand that is known best for its tailored suits and dress shirts recently opened a flagship store in the giant Palms Mall in Nigeria. The brand boasts neighbors here like Polo, Swatch, and Woolworths. In South Africa, the store has an aesthetically stunning store in Standton—one of the most lavish and wealthiest square miles in Africa. The store sits in the European styled piazza near the Nelson Mandela Square, says Sandtoncity.com.

Fashiongonerogue.com/Louis Vuitton ad in Africa
Fashiongonerogue.com/Louis Vuitton ad in Africa

Louis Vuitton

The classic handbag and luggage designer has a shop in the prestigious Sandton, as well as the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre in Cape Town. Victoria Wharf houses other high-end brands like Gucci, Aston Martin, and Hugo Boss, according to Waterfront.co.za. While the brand isn’t exactly budget-friendly in its home country of France, it’s even more expensive in South Africa. A Louis Vuitton belt can cost up to 35,000 rand (nearly $2,429 US) in South Africa, says Timeslive.co.za.

Skyberryfashion.co.za/Gucci store at Sandton
Skyberryfashion.co.za/Gucci store at Sandton

Gucci

Within the last two years, Gucci went into business with MicoStarMall.com to get their product to Nigerian customers, without massive shipping and delivery fees. Trendsetters and beauty experts in Africa love Gucci; Nigerian hairstylist Bisola Iyasara, who styles Nigerian celebrities, top models, and first ladies, says Gucci is one of her favorite brands on Nigeriafilms.com. The shop also has a storefront at the upscale Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, as well as in the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre in Cape Town, says Magiconline.com.

Timeslive.co.za/Prada on the Diamond Walk in South Africa
Timeslive.co.za/Prada on the Diamond Walk in South Africa

Prada

Prada—a brand notorious for being highly selective about where they open shop—put down roots in Johannesburg in 2015 in the Sandton City mall. The store occupies an 8,611-foot retail space on the opulent Diamond Walk. The store already has successful stores in Morocco, and the new Joburg store is a part of their ongoing effort to expand their client base in Africa. Prada had a launch party for its new Sandton store, which included a guest list with Miss Africa 2015 and rapper Da L.E.S., according to Fashiontimes.com.

Elle.co.za/Dolce and Gabbana Sandton
Elle.co.za/Dolce and Gabbana Sandton

Dolce and Gabbana

Dolce and Gabbana and Prada are new neighbors on the Diamond Walk in Sandton. D&G opened its first shop in South Africa in 2015, occupying an 8,126-square-foot space. The store includes exclusive spaces like rooms dedicated to D&G jewelry, says Elle.co.za. The luxury brand has an interesting history with South Africa, having once sued a local shop owner for naming their store, “Dolce and Banana” according to Wwd.com.

Thevividluxuryblog.co.za/Patek Philippe exhibit
Thevividluxuryblog.co.za/Patek Philippe exhibit

Patek Philippe

Luxury watchmaker Patek Philippe has authorized retailers in Egypt, Morocco and South Africa. In Morocco, the brand has a retailer in a popular shopping and cultural center not far from upscale hotels and business centers. In South Africa, it’s located in the famous Nelson Mandela Square. In Egypt, Philippe has a retailer in the famous Citystars mall. Patek Philippe has a watch on the market that was once worn by King Farouk of Egypt, priced between $309,791 and $516,219, according to Christies.com.