Handbags recorded global value sales worth nearly US$50 billion in 2013. Its popularity across markets makes it the most prominent bags and luggage category in terms of global company strategies. Despite several brands recording exceptional growth over 2008-2012, handbag sales are highly susceptible to economic downturns. In the absence of any major economic crisis, sales in key markets such as the US, China, Japan and France are expected to rise steadily over 2014-2018.