The epitomic luxury brand, Hermes, announced that its second quarter sales rose 11.2 percent, totaling €910.4 million, $1.18 billion, year over year. The leather goods and saddler division, which accounts for nearly half of all sales, rose 6.9 percent, silk and textiles rose 7.1 percent and fashion accessories/apparel increased 19.9 percent in the second quarter, according to WWD. When it comes to brands such as Hermes, there is not a lot of room for aspirational consumers. This means that a healthy increase in Hermes sales is indicative of positive growth in the luxury sector as a whole.
Meanwhile, retailer 
becomes the first flash-sale site to introduce a loyalty program. Gilt Insider rewards consumers for not only spending but interacting with a site. Consumers can get points for making a purchase, referring friends or visiting a sale. They can also be exchanged for early access to sales, discounts, free shipping, invitations to events and other membership perks.
Finally, Luxury retailer Harrods is taking advantage of the growing whisky trend through a 12-bottle collection with The Dalmore called the Dalmore Paterson Collection that is worth approximately $1.5 million.
The Dalmore Paterson, which is the only of its kind in the world, is on sale in the newly refurbished Fine Spirits Room at Harrods. Each of the 12 expressions have been individually assessed, nosed, tasted and selected by Richard Paterson, the master distiller of The Dalmore, from some of the rarest, oldest and most valuable stock in the world, per Dalmore. The collection was also chosen by Nick Fleming, the wine and spirits buyer for Harrods.
The global market for wine and spirits is expected to grow 12 percent in 2013. This growth is attributed by increased Latin American and Asian interest, especially, in addition to a growing demand for rare and vintage expressions and single-malt whiskies in the United States.