Luxury products are, by definition, not for everyone, but in case your platform caters to an elite audience - the kind that’s not afraid to pay big bucks for big brands and top quality - then one of the best ways to monetize your platform is through luxury affiliate programs.
One thing to note before signing up for an affiliate program is that luxury brands put a lot of effort and resources into maintaining their brand image. Luxury brands are all about how customers see them, and how they’re positioned in the minds and hearts of consumers.
Take the brand image away from even the most popular luxury brands in the world today and you’ll have products that would have cost a fraction of the price despite similar quality and material.
The difference is all in the brand and how they’re represented, and in that regard, luxury brands are extremely selective in the affiliates they induct into their programs.
7 Best Luxury Affiliate Programs
From designer clothing to the hottest high-end fashion pieces, here are the best and most lucrative luxury affiliate programs for your platform in 2021:
FARFETCH
Commission Rate: 5.6-7%
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Farfetch isn’t a luxury brand - instead, it’s one of the biggest marketplaces in the world where you can get legitimate luxury productsCookie Duration: 30 days
Farfetch isn’t a luxury brand - instead, it’s one of the biggest marketplaces in the world where you can get legitimate luxury products from some of the biggest brand names in the world.
Their store is partnered with brands like Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Prada, Saint Laurent, Versace, and so many more, and their catalog includes clothing and apparel, shoes, bags, sneakers, watches, and all sorts of designer accessories, so there’s something for every taste and every occasion.
On average, orders on Farfetch can go for upwards of $1000 - unsurprising, since even their cheapest t-shirts are priced at upwards of $400, and some of their highest-end items going for as much as $100,000. Here’s where the 5.6% - 7% commission really shines - allowing affiliates to earn hundreds, if not thousands on a single sale.
Plus, with the industry-standard 30-day from some of the biggest brand names in the world. Their store is partnered with brands like Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Prada, Saint Laurent, Versace, and so many more, and their catalog includes clothing and apparel, shoes, bags, sneakers, watches, and all sorts of designer accessories, so there’s something for every taste and every occasion.
On average, orders on Farfetch can go for upwards of $1000 - unsurprising, since even their cheapest t-shirts are priced at upwards of $400, and some of their highest-end items going for as much as $100,000. Here’s where the 5.6% - 7% commission really shines - allowing affiliates to earn hundreds, if not thousands on a single sale.
Plus, with the industry-standard 30-day cookie window, affiliates have plenty of time to work their leads into full-fledged conversions.
Rent the Runway
Commission Rate: 7-16% per rental
Cookie Duration: 30 days
Luxury brands may turn heads at your next party or social event, but for those who aren’t ready to spend thousands of dollars on a designer piece they’ll only get to wear a few times (especially with the pandemic and all), Rent the Runway offers more affordable rental options so you can still steal the spotlight.
Rent the Runway offers a fantastic selection of luxury clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories, but don’t get them wrong - despite the rental business model, Rent the Runway is still a full-fledged luxury brand with the prices to match.
Rent the Runway also has one of the most popular affiliate programs, due in no small part to the fact that their service caters to a much broader audience compared to luxury retailers.
Their commission structure is plenty generous, too, with affiliates earning anywhere between 7% and 16% per order. With a standard 30-day cookie window, a conversion rate of 0.94%, and an average order value that’s upward of $100, Rent the Runway affiliates stand to generate plenty of revenue for their platform.
NET-A-PORTER
Commission Rate: 3-6% depending on product category
Cookie Duration: 14 days
NET-A-PORTER is easily one of the most promoted luxury marketplaces in the world, and for good reason. Not only does it sport a massive selection of luxury brands - including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, and so many more - but it was also one of the pioneers of online designer clothing stores.
Thanks to its comprehensive catalog of luxury products, including clothing, bags, shoes, accessories, and more, NET-A-PORTER caters to a massive audience, with products for just about everybody who’s into luxury brands.
NET-A-PORTER offers affiliates anywhere between 3% and 6% commission on every sale, and with the average order value in the thousand-dollar range, there’s plenty of earning opportunities to be had even with the short 14-day cookie window.
For the menswear counterpart of NET-A-PORTER, you’ll also want to affiliate with MR. PORTER - it’s practically the same idea but catering to men, and with a more generous commission structure, too.
SSENSE
Commission Rate: 5-7.5% per sale
Cookie Duration: 30 days
SSENSE, a leading Canadian fashion retailer, just stepped up its game into the luxury fashion industry, and that means plenty of opportunities for affiliate marketers to promote their brand and earn substantial commissions.
With a standard commission rate of 5% to 7.5%, and a 30-day cookie window to help boost your conversions, SSENSE provides a very lucrative platform for promotion. Plus, depending on where your audience is, you can earn even larger commissions based on the SSENSE’s geographic-based commission structure.
As it stands, SSENSE offers 11.4% commissions for conversions based in the U.S. and 9.6% for buyers based in Canada. Considering that the average order on SSENSE runs upwards of $700 CAD, their affiliate program is sure to give your platform a big bump in revenue, provided that you promote to the appropriate audience.
The RealReal
Commission Rate: 7% for new customers, 5% for existing customers
Cookie Duration: 15 days
Some people hate paying full-price for anything, but since luxury brands value their image and prestige, it’s hard to find good bargains in the luxury brands space.
Fortunately, for those who want to shop luxury at discount prices, The RealReal offers authentic, second-hand consignment for luxury brands.
You can get pre-owned pieces for a fraction of their original cost, and since luxury brands do emphasize lasting quality, the pieces you get on The RealReal are still as high-quality as they come.
The RealReal’s commission structure is a little more complicated with affiliates earning 7% commission on purchases made by new customers, and 5% commission on purchases made by existing customers, but apart from that everything else is as standard as they come - except maybe the relatively short 15-day cookie window.
Horchow
Commission Rate: 2.4-10%
Cookie Duration: 5 days
Luxury brands encompass way more than clothing and accessories, and for the most part, the kind of people who like to wear luxurious brands are also the kind who want to live in luxurious spaces.
For such a market, Horchow provides some of the most luxurious furniture products to turn any home, office, or place of business into something out of a five-star hotel.
Horchow affiliates can earn anywhere between 2.4% to 10% of every sale, depending on the affiliate network they’re signed up on. Combine that with the fact that the average order value on the Horchow platform low-balls at $1000 or more, with some pieces costing close to $20,000, then the commission opportunities for affiliates are as high as they come - even when you take into account the relatively short 5-day cookie window.
Jimmy Choo
Commission Rate: 8% per sale
Cookie Duration: 30 days
There are a handful of designer brands that may sell better than British-based Jimmy Choo, but when it comes to luxury affiliate programs, this one has a lot to offer. With its 8% commission rate, affiliates can earn upwards of a hundred dollars from a single sale, considering the average order value on the platform easily hitting the thousand-dollar mark.
The 30-day cookie window is industry standard, but thanks to their comprehensive selection of bags, clothes, and luxury fashion accessories for both men and women, the Jimmy Choo affiliate program is a top-performer in 2021.
Choosing the Right Luxury Affiliate Program
Most of the top luxury brands today are all about high-end fashion - that means you’re going to be seeing a lot of clothes, apparel, watches, shoes, and bags if you’re looking for a luxury affiliate program.
That said, even in the luxury products industry, items can vary greatly in terms of price and target market, so when you’re on the lookout for the right luxury affiliate program for your platform make sure you consider who your audience is and what they want.
Some luxury brands focus on unique designs and materials, so if that’s something you think your audience will respond positively to, those brands might be your best bet.
On the other hand, if it’s designer-made items and collections that your audience is into, partnering with the best designer brands may offer you better and bigger revenue opportunities. Think of your audience, and choose wisely.
Tips for Promoting Luxury Products on Your Platform
The high-end fashion industry took a big hit thanks to COVID-19 and classy social events getting knocked out of the picture, but the latest industry reports show that high fashion is back on the rise, especially in Asian markets.
What you’ll want to be aiming for if you’re promoting luxury products and brands is anything that justifies the premium price tags. Capitalize on growing trends like casualization and sustainability to keep luxury products desirable and relevant well into