S01 E11: Thomas Matthews, Executive Editor of Wine Spectator

04/28/20 • 40 min

Executive Editor of Wine Spectator Thomas Matthews talks with The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr about booming wines sales during the coronavirus pandemic, and if new consumption habits formed will stick around in the future; He also discusses why e-commerce is now business critical for the wine industry, and how consumers are turning to more familiar wine brands during times of crisis; He also shares his thoughts on celebrities who have wine brands or own wineries, and which celebrity wines are worth sipping. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem and @scott_kerr, Email: [email protected]

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S01 E10: David Savona, Executive Editor of Cigar Aficionado

Cigar Aficionado executive editor David Savona talks with Scott Kerr about state of the cigar business, and why the market for premium cigars continues to grow; He talks about his recent trip to Cuba for the annual Habano Cigar Festival, and the how the economic pressures from the U.S. are impacting the country and the cigrar market; Savona describes what it's like to walk through Cuban cigar factories and the lure of a fine Cuban cigar; He also talks about how cigars turned from a passing hobby in college into being one of the world's foremost experts on cigars, and writing about it in Cigar Aficionado; Savona provides his take on why the cigar market continues to thrive, despite the "disruption" of the US government, and how women are playing a bigger role in the cigar business. Plus: Savona shares how founder Marvin Shanken - who was already published Wine Spectator magazine - was inspired to launch Cigar Aficionado in the early 90's after spending a week touring the tobacco fields and factories of Cuba. He also talks about Shanken's controversial interview with Fidel Castro for one of the issues. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem and @scott_kerr, Email: [email protected]

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S01 E12: Mickey Khan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Luxury Daily

Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Luxury Daily Mickey Khan talks with The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr about the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the luxury industry. He discusses his reasons why the luxury industry will bounce back (again), and which consumers will most likely not return to luxury shopping for awhile. Khan shares some of the biggest lessons he's learned from covering the pandemic since it started affecting luxury goods sales in China. He also talks about the future role of department stores, and why having strong digital, e-commerce, and customer service strategies will be key to a luxury brand's survival. Khan discusses how an upended luxury travel industry will change, and whether social media influencers will matter in a post-covid world. Plus: When the U.S. emerges from quarantine, don't expect the same revenge spending as in China, and sustainability will now have to take a backseat to safety. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem and @scott_kerr, Email: [email protected]