It is a hugely true fact that the market volume of replica products outdoes that of fashion brands by miles in the industry. The reasons for this are easily understandable, but in no way can one deny the fact and figure that support this.
The brands always target the niche market, thereby keeping the price of their items quite exorbitant. They are mostly out of reach of the middle income group, or even the middle to high group. But can that keep the aspirations of the individuals, especially the fashion driven ones, at bay? Since the answer is no, hence the market potential that leads to the huge share of replica products in the consumer world!
How can replica products satisfy the aspiring consumers?
The best part about replica products is that they come as ‘duplicate’s to the original brands at lower prices. That is why the general consumer psyche remains that they do not expect very high quality of the products. It is something like a mutual understanding that since the products come at lower prices and yet resembles the original ones very closely, so it is ok to compromise on the quality!
This adds to the advantage since the replica manufacturers can put less stress on quality management, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing all the more. Hence, the look-alike products for various brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint are available at unbelievable prices at showrooms dedicated to replica handbags. In fact, one can get higher discounts if bought online through e-commerce websites or directly from the dedicated website.
Can one expect quality from replica products?
Traditionally replica products were sold in the developing countries only. People with a rising income here had aspirations to buy branded items but the original products were either not available or out of reach for even a high to medium income group individual. So, quality was never a concern, since the gap between demand and supply forced people to compromise on the quality aspect.
Interestingly, the replica items have found newer horizons to do business in the developed countries as well. One reason is of course the diminishing state of financial conditions in many of these countries, like the USA, Greece and Eastern Europe. The buyers here can no more afford the best brands but cannot even give up on the aspirations to possess such items.
For these consumers, there is an added problem- that of assured quality! Being from the developed countries, these people have a higher expectation from the items that they buy. They used to enjoy the highest bit of quality standards when they were regular buyers for branded items. And now that they are buying the replicas, they can hardly let go off their psyche to use only products with ensured quality.
As a result, a bigger challenge awaits those forging in the area of replica items in developed countries- they have to ensure quality as well with limitations in their selling price.