People have an odd relationship with luxury. Some of us feel we deserve it and revel in unabashed luxury. Some indulge in it but feel they maybe should not have. Some cannot afford it, but want it. And for many, it's simply not even a consideration... the basics in life are tough enough to obtain.

Of course a recession makes luxury retail even more challenging. Selling things that people do not need (although this writer has been known to argue that those Ferragamo shoes were 100% necessary to life) during a time when many are at least morally forced to examine their spending patterns makes for interesting times.

Some luxury marketers are experiencing hard times. Others are sailing through, by knowing their markets and positioning their products just so.

This Synovate survey takes a look at luxe dreams, extravagance, indulgence and the finer things in life. What do people feel when they buy luxury? How do they treat themselves? And what is their luxury brand shopping style? We spoke with over 8,100 people across 11 very different markets.

A lingering look at luxury
But first what is luxury? Is it the feel of cashmere on your skin, the joy of time to spend as you wish, or the pleasure of showing your success in life? Well, it rather depends where you live. >>MORE

Is it for pleasure or treasure?
So what do people most enjoy about buying and owning luxury? Do they see dollar signs and brands, or simply feel fabulous, or both? >>MORE

Shopping and spending style
Once you have decided to buy luxury, do you buy on the spot, or research extensively, or land somewhere in the middle? Synovate asked people across 11 markets and the top shopping style, chosen by 28% of all respondents was, "I research every other alternative and then buy the item of best value to me". >>MORE

Luxury with all the money in the world...
Pretending for a moment that money was no object, Synovate asked people what one luxury brand item would give them the most pleasure to purchase. >>MORE

...and luxury within your means
The survey also asked about 'little' luxuries that people are most likely to purchase, finding that food and beverage luxuries topped the list. >>MORE

Guilt-edged indulgence
You could argue that luxury exists to make you feel good. But not for 32% of our respondents. >>MORE

Logo love
For many, luxury just is. You should not show a logo. For others, it's all about the logo. >>MORE

About Synovate In:fact on luxury brands
Numbers of surveyed

BR 600

CA 984

FR 507

HK 1004

IN 1021

NL 1011

ES 503

TW 1007

UAE 501

UK 500

US 501