Significant disconnect between risk and insurance cover highlighted by Willis Towers Watson’s latest luxury brand survey

LONDON, 02 November, 2021 – The latest survey into luxury brands from Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, has highlighted a key disconnect between risks and insurance cover. Over 50 percent of brands surveyed outlined D&O liability as one of the top risks to financial success, which may indicate that luxury brand directors are feeling exposed at a time of increasing uncertainty and scrutiny, yet only 37 percent actually had obtained D&O coverage. Similarly, business travel and environmental risks also rank highly, but very few have specific insurance for these.

Willis Towers Watson surveyed 100 senior decision makers within luxury retail brands based in Europe, US and Asia to determine the key risks associated with the luxury brands sector. Other key findings from the survey include:

• Luxury brands are optimistic about the future. Despite global challenges from COVID-19 to trade wars, 70% believe luxury brands will increase in profitability over the next two years.
• The shift to online sales may be peaking. While almost 40% see the rise of online sales as an opportunity, the vast majority do not see it as a replacement for instore sales in future – 81% predict that online sales, as a proportion of total sales, will stay the same.
• Digital will continue to grow as a business enabler. Brands are embracing tech that enhances the customer experience and facilitates sales – for example, buy-now pay later payment models were named as a top business opportunity by 44% and pay-by-link or other alternative payment methods by 38%.
• The pandemic still looms large in people’s thinking. 50% named health as among the main risks to financial success. When asked about their biggest challenges, 34% cited managing the return to the office, 33% remote working, and 30% a shift away from luxury goods and experiences following the pandemic.
• Governance tops the list of ESG concerns. Almost 70% listed board composition and audit committee structure among their top five environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks, followed by biodiversity, climate change and deforestation (52%), and water management and water scarcity (50%).
• ESG risks are starting to be addressed by luxury brands. Almost two thirds (66%) are implementing a formal process to manage ESG risks, which everyone is trained in. However, very few (4%) are measuring this, suggesting many may not be keeping pace with ESG risks as they change and develop.
• Reputation is key, but the risks are difficult to manage. 75% of our respondents said reputation is critical to a luxury brands success, but 72% think it is more difficult to manage than other risks.

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It is interesting to see the disconnect between the risks facing this niche sector and the significant exposure to risk liabilities. We strongly recommend that luxury brands review their risk registers to determine if they are adequately covered for risks such as reputational impact or D&O.”

Garret Gaughan
Head of Global Markets P&C Hub and Facultative

Garret Gaughan, Head of Global Markets P&C Hub and Facultative, said “It is interesting to see the serious disconnect between the risks facing this niche sector and the significant exposure to risk liabilities. We strongly recommend that luxury brands review their risk registers to determine if they are adequately covered for risks such as reputational impact or D&O. Our luxury brand proposition gives clients the complete end-to-end solution for all their risk management and risk transfer needs. It also provides a focal point for our clients to access our people, products and solutions and surveys such as this, help us to support their ever changing risk liabilities.

For more information, please access the report.

About Willis Towers Watson

Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 45,000 employees serving more than 140 countries and markets. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent, and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas — the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential.