Study: Hope for US boost pushes global luxury goods recovery

The rapidly rebounding U.S. economy is helping to accelerate recovery in the personal luxury goods market, which could reach pre-pandemic levels of sales as early as this year

MILAN -- Luxury brands are already cashing in on promises of a 21st-century version of the “Roaring '20s” in the United States, where hefty stimulus packages and an advanced vaccine campaign are accelerating post-pandemic recovery in high-end sales, according to a new study by Bain & Co. consultancy released on Monday. The rapidly rebounding U.S. economy together with China — already on an established growth trajectory — could push the global market for personal luxury goods back to or even beyond pre-pandemic sales levels as early as this year, Bain partner Claudia D’Arpizio said. “We expect a very positive cycle that is just starting in the United States, where luxury brands can really take advantage,’’ D’Arpizio told The Associated Press, citing the stimulus and positive stock market reaction. “This together with the fact that probably consumers are already back to normal in terms of traveling, is pushing the recovery of luxury goods.”