Of course, luxury chains have always featured a high level of attentiveness. But the chains say that in this economy, customers have heightened expectations. Saks, for one, has invested tens of millions of dollars in the last year on software that provides its sales staff easy access to information about client purchases and preferences, so that a returning customer might be greeted by a sales representative who recalls the shopper suit size and penchant for Christian Louboutin heels..

F1 is its most high profile investment but it is much more than just a toy for the company's racing loving boss. The tall, tanned 67 year old Austrian is usually seen in his trademark dark leather jacket entertaining guests in Red Bull's palatial two storey motorhome in the F1 paddock. However, he is most at home in Hangar 7, a domed steel and glass shrine to all things Red Bull just outside Salzburg..

I really wanted to like the Hudson because it is in my neighborhood, fun atmosphere and idea, a