The presentation was followed by a dynamic panel discussion featuring:
- Amrita Banta, Managing Director, Agility Research & Strategy
- Iva Bravic Millereau, Executive Director for the MSc in Marketing and Digitial, ESSEC Asia-Pacific
- Shaoyuan HAN-MONTILLET, Luxury Executive, former LVMH/Fendi
The following themes dominated the evening’s narrative:
- The Paradigm Shift from "More" to "Better": The industry is moving away from sheer accumulation toward meaningful curation, where brand success is increasingly measured by "Emotional ROI" rather than just transactional volume.
- A Human-Centric Reset: Post-pandemic lifestyles have pivoted toward meaning over materialism, with wealthy individuals prioritizing ethical alignment, personal values, and deeper connections over conspicuous display.
- Positive Economic Sentiment: Agility’s research highlights an optimistic 12-month outlook, with HNW individuals in India, China, and the USA specifically expecting growth in both disposable income and investment values.
- The Rise of the Experience-Led Economy: Experiences have become the ultimate luxury currency, with a notable travel surge expected in Thailand, Indonesia, and India.
- Passions as Conversion Drivers: UHNW individuals are dedicating more resources to niche interests like art collection, culinary exploration, and sea fishing, presenting brands with opportunities for bespoke, intimate engagement.
- Global Shopping Hubs:France and Hong Kong continue to lead as the most preferred luxury shopping destinations for Chinese HNWIs, primarily driven by the desire for exceptional service and product variety.
- The Endurance of Quiet Luxury: This movement is now a permanent cultural fixture, reflecting a desire for discretion and restraint where "luxury whispers rather than shouts".
- Generational Nuances: While older segments embrace understated elegance, Gen Z continues to redefine social status through subtle signaling and discernment.
The evening concluded by emphasizing that to win over the UHNW segment in 2026, brands must transition from aggressive sales tactics to long-term relationship building centered on storytelling, artisan connection, and global status recognition.
