At PurseBop, it’s our sworn duty to keep you in the know about all the price surges in the luxury handbag world. Recently, we reported on Chanel’s hefty changes, with some bags even receiving a 20% price increase. Today, we’re here to cover another big name: Louis Vuitton has increased its handbag prices across board in the U.S. (Though luckily for you LV lovers, the increase is considerably less jarring than Chanel’s!)
LV’s prices started rising in February, and we can now affirm the price increase is complete. While there is no set percentage by which the bag prices have risen, the general trend is that the more desirable bags have increased at a higher percentage, around 4%. As we’ve long known, popularity sells.
Let’s take a look at five Louis Vuitton bags—both classic and trendy—and analyze their prices to fully understand the new increase. Below, PurseBop will be charting the Neverfull, Pochette Metis, Montaigne, Palm Springs Backpack, and Alma.
The Numbers
*All prices listed in monogram/damier canvas
Neverfull
| Style | Old U.S. Price | New U.S. Price | Difference | Percent Increase |
| Neverfull PM | $1,180 | $1,240 | $60 | 5.1% |
| Neverfull MM | $1,260 | $1,320 | $60 | 4.8% |
| Neverfull GM | $1,340 | $1,400 | $60 | 4.5% |
Pochette Metis
| Style | Old U.S. Price | New U.S. Price | Difference | Percent Increase |
| Pochette | $1,780 | $1,830 | $50 | 2.8% |
Montaigne
| Style | Old U.S. Price | New U.S. Price | Difference | Percent Increase |
| Montaigne BB | $2,260 | $2,300 | $40 | 1.8% |
| Montaigne MM | $2,410 | $2,460 | $50 | 2.1% |
| Montaigne GM | $2,570 | $2,620 | $50 | 1.9% |
Palm Springs Backpack
| Style | Old U.S. Price | New U.S. Price | DIfference | Percent Increase |
| Palm Springs Backpack Mini | $1,910 | $1,940 | $30 | 1.6% |
| Palm Springs Backpack PM | $1,960 | $2,040 | $80 | 4.1% |
| Palm Springs Backpack MM | $2,130 | $2,210 | $80 | 3.8% |
Alma
| Style | Old U.S. Price | New U.S. Price | Difference | Percent Increase |
| Alma BB | $1,200 | $1,230 | $30 | 2.5% |
| Alma PM | $1,500 | $1,530 | $30 | 2% |
| Alma MM | $1,810 | $1,850 | $40 | 2.2% |
The Numbers
*All prices listed in monogram/damier canvas
Neverfull
| Style | Old U.S. Price | New U.S. Price | Difference | Percent Increase |
| Neverfull PM | $1,180 | $1,240 | $60 | 5.1% |
| Neverfull MM | $1,260 | $1,320 | $60 | 4.8% |
| Neverfull GM | $1,340 | $1,400 | $60 | 4.5% |
Pochette Metis
| Style | Old U.S. Price | New U.S. Price | Difference | Percent Increase |
| Pochette | $1,780 | $1,830 | $50 | 2.8% |
Montaigne
| Style | Old U.S. Price | New U.S. Price | Difference | Percent Increase |
| Montaigne BB | $2,260 | $2,300 | $40 | 1.8% |
| Montaigne MM | $2,410 | $2,460 | $50 | 2.1% |
| Montaigne GM | $2,570 | $2,620 | $50 | 1.9% |
Palm Springs Backpack
| Style | Old U.S. Price | New U.S. Price | DIfference | Percent Increase |
| Palm Springs Backpack Mini | $1,910 | $1,940 | $30 | 1.6% |
| Palm Springs Backpack PM | $1,960 | $2,040 | $80 | 4.1% |
| Palm Springs Backpack MM | $2,130 | $2,210 | $80 | 3.8% |
Alma
| Style | Old U.S. Price | New U.S. Price | Difference | Percent Increase |
| Alma BB | $1,200 | $1,230 | $30 | 2.5% |
| Alma PM | $1,500 | $1,530 | $30 | 2% |
| Alma MM | $1,810 | $1,850 | $40 | 2.2% |
Price Analysis
Of the bags we’ve charted, the Neverfull—by far the most popular of the bunch—has seen the greatest increases. Other bags that have been the subjects of around 5% price rises include the Speedy family and the various Pochette accessories. Furthermore, the Noé saw an increase of around 10%! In addition to the all-around increase, LV also recently released a new fanny pack, called the Bumbag (which we mentioned here).
These price increases coincide with Louis Vuitton becoming more exclusive—yes, you heard that right. Though LV is the largest designer handbag brand, and Neverfulls and the like are ubiquitous in any major city, it’s becoming harder and harder to get your hands on a number of the bags. The Neverfull PM, Pochette Metis, Palm Springs Backpacks, and Alma bags are all listed as “call for availability” on the brand’s website. These are harder to obtain, even though they could be considered starter bags: they can’t be ordered through the website and may not even be available in a nearby boutique.
To address the problem of scarcity, Louis Vuitton is opening new production facilities. It’s planning to open two sites in western France, according to Reuters, which will employ 500 people. It will also be opening a new facility employing 500 in Keene, Texas in 2019. Despite this, there’s little doubt that the French brand thrives to some extent on the lines and waitlists the shortage in supply is creating, and the brand’s position of scarcity is better than the opposite situation—over-saturation, which LV has certainly had to face in the past.
@queen_isabelle8
@luxury4nk
Will this price increase make you think twice about picking up your next LV bag? Have you been buying LV bags for a while, or are you enticed by the brand’s new exclusivity? Worried about another brand whose prices may go up soon? Tell us all your Louis Vuitton-related thoughts below!
Read related articles below:
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Chanel Price Increase 2018: Gabrielle, Coco Handle and Boy Bags Up Next
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Hermes Prices 2018 Update: UK First To Go Up
Chanel vs. Hermès Price Faceoff
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Updated: April 23rd, 2018
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