The Asia Pacific retail market is not all about big luxury brands - there are huge opportunities for Australian lifestyle retailers.
Research commissioned by international law firm Pinsent Masons has found 'lifestyle' brands have overtaken 'luxury' brands as the best prospect for growth in the retail sector.
The report, prepared by retail analysts Conlumino, found consumer spending on lifestyle brands is likely to grow by some 277 percent in Asia Pacific by 2018.
The research revealed lifestyle brands which offer premium product priced at mid-market consumers had huge potential for growth, citing brands such as Mulberry, Nespresso and Cath Kidson.
Accessible Australian luxury brands Oroton and RM Williams have both made recent inroads into the Asian retail market.
However, Pinsent Masons partner Peter Bullock warned that brands looking to capitalise on potentially lucrative markets must exercise caution.
"What is more challenging is getting the entry strategy right.
"As the Hong Kong market amply demonstrates, luxury brands have established relationships with many of the biggest local players who can open doors and, for instance, plug brands into the right shopping outlets.
"Lifestyle brands will need to carefully examine access points, contractual arrangements, intellectual property, financial and potential equity investment to tap into international opportunities without diluting their brand and losing control."