Luxury Prices Keep Rising: Where Shoppers Are Buying Designer for Less in 2026

Short answer: Major luxury houses have raised prices far beyond inflation since 2019, and shoppers have responded. Outlets and seasonal sales, authenticated resale, and online multi-brand discounters are the three realistic ways to pay less. Each can save real money, and each comes with trade-offs on returns, duties and proof of authenticity that you should check before you buy.

Designer prices have climbed sharply since 2019, and the evidence suggests that has changed how even loyal luxury shoppers buy, not just whether they buy.

What's Actually Real Here

The price rises are documented. Bain's December 2025 luxury report, Finding a New Longevity for Luxury, says like-for-like prices of iconic leather bags have risen by between 50% and 70% since 2019, far more than general inflation over the period. Bain also reports that the leather goods category fell by 5-7% in 2025 and that about 20 million consumers left the luxury market that year, shrinking the active client base to roughly 330 million from 400 million in 2022. It attributes this partly to shoppers feeling that price no longer matches value. Those are Bain's estimates, not exact counts.

Brands have not only been passing on costs. When Louis Vuitton raised some handbag prices by up to 26% in 2022, brand representatives pointed to production costs, raw materials, transport and inflation, while analysts quoted by The Fashion Law described the moves as also reflecting pricing power and scarcity, given record margins at the time. That is an older example, but it shows why the "it is all input costs" explanation is contested.

The alternatives exist and are legitimate. Brand outlets and end-of-season sales, resale and consignment platforms, and online multi-brand retailers all sell genuine goods at lower prices. They differ a lot in how much risk they carry.

Where the Hype Outruns the Reality

"Genuine markdown" depends on the retailer. Online discounters often work as drop-shippers, sourcing from a network of boutiques and suppliers rather than holding their own stock. Cettire, the best-known example, is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. A guide from Invested Luxury puts its discounts at roughly 10-30% below retail on current-season items, with deeper cuts on past-season stock, and says customer reviews and independent checks suggest the products are genuine. The same guide reports a Trustpilot score of about 3.6 out of 5 and recurring complaints about rejected returns and slow email-only customer service. Treat any single review site as one data point, and check current ratings yourself.

Returns can be strict and costly. The same guide describes a 14-day return window, a requirement that items are unworn with tags attached, and return and handling fees of tens of dollars. Policies change, so read the current terms before you order, and note that these terms are very different from a department store's.

Duties can wipe out the saving. Cross-border orders can carry import costs that are not in the sticker price. Two recent changes matter:

• United States: the duty-free de minimis exemption for low-value shipments was suspended for all countries from 29 August 2025, under an executive order. Small parcels that once arrived duty-free may now be charged duty.
• European Union: from 1 July 2026, the Council's new rules levy a flat €3 customs duty on each category of item in parcels valued under €150, until 1 July 2028, when normal tariffs are due to replace it. VAT is separate.

Whether you pay anything depends on where the goods ship from, where you live, the item type and who acts as the importer of record. The retailer's checkout should show the total landed cost. If it does not, ask before you buy.

Resale is not automatically safe. Pre-owned designer pieces can offer strong savings, especially on classics, but you are relying on the platform's authentication. If a listing or site does not explain how it verifies authenticity and what happens if it is wrong, treat that as a red flag.

A Sensible Approach

1. Decide what you want first, so a markdown does not decide it for you.
2. Compare the full landed price, including duties, delivery and any return fee, against full retail.
3. Prefer classics for resale, since they hold their value and go out of fashion more slowly.
4. Read the return policy before paying, especially the window, the condition rules and who pays for shipping back.
5. Pay by a method with buyer protection where you can, and keep every receipt and listing screenshot.

FAQ

Is it safe to buy designer goods from online discount retailers? Many sell genuine stock, but quality of service varies. Check recent independent reviews, return terms and how duties are handled, because these differ from a traditional luxury store.

Why have luxury prices risen so much since 2019? Bain reports iconic bag prices up 50-70% like for like. Brands cite costs, while analysts also point to deliberate positioning and pricing power.

Is resale or a discount retailer the better way to save? Resale often gives the biggest savings on classic pieces. Discounters are better for current-season items you want new. Both need a check on authenticity and returns.

Will I pay customs duty on a designer order from abroad? Possibly. The US ended duty-free treatment for low-value shipments in August 2025, and the EU introduced a €3 per item category duty on parcels under €150 in July 2026. Check the checkout total.

---

Hype-o-meter: Earns It

The shift towards outlets, resale and online discounters is a rational response to documented, steep price rises. It earns its place as long as you check the return policy, the authentication and the total landed cost. The savings are real but smaller and riskier than the marketing suggests.

Sources

• Bain & Company: Finding a New Longevity for Luxury (December 2025)
• The Fashion Law: Inflation, Positioning and China, a Dive into Luxury Brands' Price Increases
• Invested Luxury: Cettire reviews, is it legit?
• The White House: Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries
• Council of the EU: Council gives final green light to new customs duty rules for small parcels (11 February 2026)