Gifts for the people who have everything
110 views · Published 15 December 2018 · 6:19 · Indexed 6 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(10 Dec 2018) LEADIN: Looking for an ultra luxurious gift this holiday season? The world's luxury capital Beverly Hills has plenty to choose from. From miniature Ferraris to Tiffany & Co. bone china dog bowls there is something for everyone. STORYLINE: Holiday gift shopping for the person who has everything? In the luxury capital of the world, Beverly Hills, this is the busiest time of the shopping year and luxury is on sale everywhere. Gifts here range from the luxurious to the ultra luxurious. Rodeo Drive which houses flagship stores of the world's biggest design houses sees shoppers wandering the streets taking in original and almost one-of-a-kind type gifts. Blair Schlecter, Vice President of Economic Development and Government Affairs for Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce says overall in the country, the economy is so strong that holiday sales are already reflecting consumer confidence. "So the holiday season is looking really great. The National Retail Federation predicts an increase between 4.3 and 4.8 percent in national retail sales which is excellent and an increase over last year. Things are looking really strong. Consumers themselves say that there is going to be a 4.1 percent increase in the amount of sales they do for this holiday season so we are in really excellent shape and really excited for the holiday season." According to the National Retail Federations' (NFR) annual holiday survey, consumers say they will spend an average of $1,007 on gifts, decoration and more this season. But in Beverly Hills that figure is taken to a whole new level for those shopping at high end stores. Schlecter says sales tax revenue right now in Beverly Hills is already up an average of about 10 percent over the three previous quarters of the year. Half of consumers who own smartphones or tablets said they would use them to research their holiday purchases according to the NFR survey. Thomas J. Blumenthal, President and CEO of GEARYS Beverly Hills says there is no question that internet sales are increasing. "Our online business is up about 25 percent over last year. We have invested a lot in our website this year so it's more robust and we have spent a lot more money on marketing online but I'd say our inshore business is equally as strong. Our traffic is up in the stores and we're seeing lot of people and a lot of foreigners coming into the store that are shopping from out of town," says Blumenthal. At Tiffany & Co. at 2 Rodeo in Beverly Hills gift items are abundant. And now your pet can also live the lap of luxury with the Tiffany & Co. pet collection. Tiffany dog and cat bowls in bone china sell for $125 for a dog and $75 for a cat. There is the Tiffany & Co. color block tote bag for $1,500 to carry your pet wares, leashes in Tiffany Blue leather for $325.00 and pet tote charms for between $150 to $175 apiece. Richard Mille is an eponymous brand of luxury Swiss watches founded in 1999. Known for it's 21st Century concepts these handmade watches made with the latest state of the art innovative technological materials to create light weight watches. For $1,955,000 you can buy the lady in your life the RM 07-01 Ladies Automatic, white gold case and solid gold bracelet, with pave diamonds. For him there is the RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur Piece Unique Men's Watch for $1,650,000. Maybe he prefers a pocket watch, the RM 020 Tourbillon Pocket watch can be yours for $550,000. Alex Mille, Director of Richard Mille says the look of the watch design is inspired by cars. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/b7dc043435f63bfc9aef1bca3ab9b4a6
