NOVEMBER 2025: The SKALE of Luxury
- Sophie Spitz
- Dec 1, 2025
- 2 min read
As November unfolds, we continue to move through the busiest season for Luxury Retail. In the lead-up to peak trade, brands are showing greater diversity in both footprint expansion and client engagement strategies.
Beyond a wave of new store openings, we are seeing an increase in temporary pop-ups, tactical activations in high-tourism areas, and intimate in-boutique experiences. In today’s challenging luxury landscape, resilience, agility, and creativity are essential.
Established players now recognise a clear and undeniable shift in customer behaviour, both locally and globally. Clients are seeking richer experiences and stronger points of differentiation. While this shift is not new, it takes time and best practices to shape a movement of change.
As we head into December, the steady uplift in retail spending since June gives reason for optimism.
Australia's Luxury Market Pulse
Retail spending is up 0.8% in November compared to October. On a yearly comparison, spending is up 4.3% at $37.8 billion compared to 2024. A promising outlook heading into Christmas although this yearly increase mostly reflects a higher inflation.
Other retailing (which includes online and recreational goods) = up 7.2% vs. LY.
Clothing, footwear and personal accessories = up 3.5% [AU Bureau of Statistics]
Consumer sentiment brightens in November, increasing to 85 (+1pp) on average. Over the last two weeks, the index has increased by 3.6pp driven by positively perceived buying conditions ahead of Black Friday. [Roy Morgan ANZ]
Inflation is up 0.4% since October and expected to hit a near two-year high at 5.4% by end November. The rate climbed to 3.8% annually, above the 3.6% forecast, keeping pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia to hold rates. [Roy Morgan ANZ ; CommonWealth Bank Australia]
Tourism: Australia is set to hit a new seat capacity record in December, driven by international flights surge. [Australian Aviation]
What's New in Australia?
What has SKALE been up to?
Skale Up podcast is back for a second season.
In this kick-off episode, we host Shamini Rajarethnam, the powerhouse CEO behind Australia’s cult luxury skincare brand RATIONALE.
This month we launch a new partnership with world renowned Wine & Champagne expert, Tyson Stelzer, to support the market entry and development of Champagne Houses in Australia.
Stay tuned!
Coming up!
Australian Open starting on January 2026 in Melbourne, with Rolex and Ralph Lauren as key luxury sponsors.
Montblanc new Sydney flagship opening most likely pushed to early 2026.
Until next time,
The SKALE Australia team
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