Retailers with a well-defined identity delivered strong growth in 2025.

Swiss sneaker brand On Holding will skip holiday discounts to reinforce its premium positioning, co-founder Caspar Coppetti told CNBC. The strategy follows a strong Q3, with adjusted EPS up 300% YoY and revenue rising 24.9% to 794 million francs, beating expectations. While rivals like Nike and Hoka are cautious about global demand, On raised its full-year forecast for the third consecutive quarter. Positioned in the “accessible luxury” segment, On continues to benefit from affluent consumers’ spending power and consistent innovation, helping it sustain growth despite broader economic softness and market headwinds.

Ralph Lauren and Tapestry reported standout Q3 results as the strength of their brands and product assortments helped insulate them from broader weaknesses in the luxury and apparel industry. Their successes show that demand for accessible luxury is recovering. But they also demonstrate the challenge of appealing to consumers’ lofty expectations. With more immediate concerns like grocery prices and labor market uncertainty pressuring discretionary purchases, companies need to be laser-focused on delivering high-quality, on-trend assortments.

Tapestry and Ralph Lauren are planning for growth in an otherwise tepid luxury market. Tapestry expects mid-single-digit revenue growth in fiscal 2027 and 2028. Longer term, it aims to turn Coach into a $10 billion brand, up from $5.6 billion last year. Ralph Lauren also has its sights on becoming a $10 billion brand by decade’s end. Its latest forecast calls for mid-single-digit sales growth over the next three years—a target executives acknowledged as conservative but aligned with its goal of sustainable expansion. With pricing power waning, storytelling and product innovation are crucial for reengaging disaffected consumers. Tapestry and Ralph Lauren show that combining brand resonance, strong core products with a disciplined pricing strategy, and an inclusive approach to luxury can deliver sustainable growth in a challenging market.

Ralph Lauren posted higher-than-expected quarterly results and raised its full-year revenue outlook, though it warned that tariffs could pressure consumer spending in the second half. Amid economic uncertainty, Ralph Lauren’s performance highlights the resilience of brands that sit at the intersection of aspiration and accessibility. The company appears better positioned than some of its luxury peers to weather volatility. Its quarterly results offer a blueprint for its retail peers, showing the value of a diversified supply chain and brand equity over aggressive discounting and heavy dependence on a single market.

Capri blames Michael Kors’ decline on excessive discounting: The luxury brand’s attempt to stay competitive by slashing prices hurt its cachet and handed momentum to labels like Coach.

Wedding demand is returning to prepandemic levels: But that won’t be enough to save David’s Bridal, even as jeweler Signet prepares for a wave of engagements.

Insider Intelligence associate analyst Christina Obolenskaya spoke with Ricky Joshi, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Saatva, on providing "accessible luxury" products to customers. Saatva sells high-end mattresses on its ecommerce platform, as well as bedding products, bed frames, and more.