Another factor is that the cost of higher-end/"luxury" goods outside the US is often much higher outside the US. In the US, for instance, you can easily buy a

Another factor is that the cost of higher-end/"luxury" goods outside the US is often much higher outside the US. In the US, for instance, you can easily buy a Ralph Lauren polo for under $100 (on sale online, at an outlet, etc.). When I decided to buy some RL in Japan a few years ago, a polo that I could have probably found in the US for $75-$100 cost me around $175.