MS Balitang Bamboo

Gucci: High End Shopping

By Lucia E.

This is Gucci’s “GG marmont”, this is their most/best selling bag in history. Simple, yet elegant, the GG marmont is one of Gucci’s timeless products.

Whenever we would pass by a high end or department store when I was little, I would always ask my mom why the products were so overpriced, for something just as practical and functional as what you could get at a local mall. “It works the same.” She always used to tell me it was not as much about the quality but more because of the brand name it held. After some research, there are several reasons why these products are so costly.

Have you ever wondered why Gucci products are so costly? “Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten,” Guccio Gucci, the founder of the brand.

Guccio at his first opening of his new York Store, 1953

So, why are Gucci products so costly? Gucci charges customers as much as they are willing to pay, “Any fine luxury item or collectable piece is worth only as much as the buyer is willing to pay,” Bernard Arnault, the founder of Louis Vuitton. Meaning, high end stores rely much on the customers' will to pay for the product. So, if a customer is willing to pay more than the original price, the designer brand’s prices will go up.

Another reason being, Only a small selection of people can afford to purchase Gucci products, it’s more expensive because only the upper class will consider buying them. Therefore, if the crowd can pay high amounts, the brand will also raise their prices.

Gucci originated in Italy, and has the Italian label showing status and wealth. ‘House of Gucci’ was created in 1921, in Florence, Italy, by Guccio Gucci. Guccio worked in London for many designer brands and when Guccio returned to Italy, he developed his iconic designs. Gucci bags have historically been worn by royals, politicians, heads of state, movie stars and celebrities long before the brand skyrocketed. As Gucci’s brand grew they started to branch out creating clothes, shoes, belts, jewelry and more products, whilst still keeping their bag line strong.

People like to own Gucci products for several reasons, one being the gucci logo on the products shows that the owner is financially well off. Gucci products are also widely worn by celebrities and famous icons.

“Elegance is like manners. You can’t be polite only on Wednesday or Thursday. If you are elegant, you should be every day of the week. If you are not, then it’s another matter,” Guccio Gucci