Travel costs in the United States have risen 23% since 2019, with hotel rates up nearly 58% from 2020 levels, prompting shifts in consumer behavior and signaling pricing strain in the mid-market tourism sector.

Investors are reassessing the global luxury sector after LVMH signaled a more cautious outlook, raising questions about pricing power, consumer fatigue, and the durability of post-pandemic growth.

Saks Global Enterprises, owner of Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman, has missed a major bond payment as leverage and changing consumer behavior expose vulnerabilities in the luxury retail model.

Effective January 1, 2026, the UAE’s expanded ban on single-use plastics has driven broad adoption of sustainable alternatives by retailers, manufacturers and residents, marking a key milestone in the country’s sustainability strategy.

Softening resale prices for Hermès Birkin bags point to weakening demand among aspirational luxury buyers, highlighting a growing divergence between discretionary consumers and ultra-high-net-worth spending.

After years of aggressive increases, brands confront slowing demand and shifting expectations.