Post-Pandemic Job Shifts in Luxury Retail | ACCUR Recruiting Services

We recently looked at the way the pandemic has transformed the economy in numerous ways, including:

Changing where and how people work
Changing the type of skills needed as the economic recovery proceeds
Greatly elevating the role of e-commerce and especially Amazon

This week we look at the impact of these shifts on the luxury retail sector, where companies are grappling with changing demographics and sales dynamics along with new demands in executive recruiting for key luxury retail positions.

Which Luxury Retail Positions are More Important?

Luxury retail, and especially marquee brands like Céline, Christian Dior, Chanel and Louis Vuitton have long struggled with how to reach consumers across digital channels. The pandemic forced a transition that was already gaining traction and that is to enhance to the online experience and to use it to build relationships with younger consumers.

We are seeing luxury retail brands pay a lot more attention to the following positions:

Head of E-commerce: also know as a a director of e-commerce or VP of e-commerce is a cross-disciplinary position that develops and directs the execution of all aspects of the e-commerce strategy for a brand. A strong head of e-commerce needs a blend of marketing, technology, and management skills, along with a strong understanding of trends pertaining to social media and so-called “social selling.” More on this position>>
Executives with Amazon-specific skills: The pandemic taught luxury sellers the power of the “lipstick effect,” that is, customers are happy to add in a small luxury item or two into a more quotidian purchase of groceries or toilet paper if it gave them a brief hit of dopamine. For that reason, they are increasingly seeing Amazon as an important component of sales and marketing. More about Amazon and luxury beauty>>

Which Luxury Retail Positions are Less Important?

Overall trends in the jobs report indicate the following changes:

Fewer dedicated retail jobs
Serious impact on the duty free industry
Jobs that are highly reliant on in-person contact are increasingly threatened

What Remains Uncertain in Luxury Retail

As the economic recovery proceeds full steam ahead, the following area are ones we are watching:

The recovery of the tourism and hospitality industry which is closely threaded with the luxury retail industry
How duty free will recover
Will in-store “experiences” like those exemplified by Sephora and Glossier come back and remain popular in luxury sales

Other Key Considerations

Another big area we are watching are positions dedicated to increasing the reach of luxury retail to younger consumers, including the following:

How ACCUR Serves the Digital Needs of Luxury Retail

ACCUR Recruiting Services has deep experience with the luxury retail industry and the digital, e-commerce and startup spaces. We will work with you to find the right executive talent for all of your digital needs, whether that is in marketing, branding, influencer marketing or social media. Contact us to discuss your needs.