Watch shops, here, there and everywhere!
Discussion
I was dragged along to my local mega-mall this weekend (Cribbs Causeway, Bristol), and noticed that the number of single brand 'boutique' watch shops had suddenly appeared (at some point in the last 2 years - I don't go there often).
There were still general purpose jewellers, but in addition there were Tag Heuer, Tudor & Bremont boutiques. Is this happening across the country, or is it unique to the West Country?
There were still general purpose jewellers, but in addition there were Tag Heuer, Tudor & Bremont boutiques. Is this happening across the country, or is it unique to the West Country?
Barchettaman said:
Certainly the case on the continent: I’ve seen Rado and Mido boutiques opening up in Austria and Germany.
Swatch group flexing its retail muscles, perhaps?
Possibly, but the numbers don't seem to stack up? replace one shop with (let's guess 8 staff), with 4 shops with (let's guess 14 staff in total). Plus all the additional shop running costs and the bespoke fit outs. I can't see how they expect to make any money?Swatch group flexing its retail muscles, perhaps?
tangerine_sedge said:
Possibly, but the numbers don't seem to stack up? replace one shop with (let's guess 8 staff), with 4 shops with (let's guess 14 staff in total). Plus all the additional shop running costs and the bespoke fit outs. I can't see how they expect to make any money?
I would guess they make more profit by not supplying a middle man and going direct. I went to Cribbs and they have every type of jewellery store, some supplying the same product as these single brand outlets. We shall see how long they last as we keep being told there is no money out there spaximus said:
tangerine_sedge said:
Possibly, but the numbers don't seem to stack up? replace one shop with (let's guess 8 staff), with 4 shops with (let's guess 14 staff in total). Plus all the additional shop running costs and the bespoke fit outs. I can't see how they expect to make any money?
I would guess they make more profit by not supplying a middle man and going direct. I went to Cribbs and they have every type of jewellery store, some supplying the same product as these single brand outlets. We shall see how long they last as we keep being told there is no money out there More control over the ‘brand experience’ and less chance for the general consumer to compare prices to other brands in the window (why would you spent X on that when this one looks almost the same and is only Y)
There is a multi brand retailer near where I live who have refitted out their shop so it looks like they have four or five little separate brand ‘boutiques’ in their space rather than just a big window full of stock. Each has its own furniture/lighting/marketing vibe.
There is a multi brand retailer near where I live who have refitted out their shop so it looks like they have four or five little separate brand ‘boutiques’ in their space rather than just a big window full of stock. Each has its own furniture/lighting/marketing vibe.
spaximus said:
tangerine_sedge said:
Possibly, but the numbers don't seem to stack up? replace one shop with (let's guess 8 staff), with 4 shops with (let's guess 14 staff in total). Plus all the additional shop running costs and the bespoke fit outs. I can't see how they expect to make any money?
I would guess they make more profit by not supplying a middle man and going direct. I went to Cribbs and they have every type of jewellery store, some supplying the same product as these single brand outlets. We shall see how long they last as we keep being told there is no money out there I haven’t yet seen the boutique, but know the others. A friend (and ex colleague from my retail days) is managing the Bremont store.
Goldsmiths are also apparently moving to a larger unit, I worked in the original store when it first opened in 1998.
I understand the brand experience, but I can’t see how these stores are going to generate the sales required to justify the costs involved.
Goldsmiths are also apparently moving to a larger unit, I worked in the original store when it first opened in 1998.
I understand the brand experience, but I can’t see how these stores are going to generate the sales required to justify the costs involved.
bristolbaron said:
I haven’t yet seen the boutique, but know the others. A friend (and ex colleague from my retail days) is managing the Bremont store.
Goldsmiths are also apparently moving to a larger unit, I worked in the original store when it first opened in 1998.
I understand the brand experience, but I can’t see how these stores are going to generate the sales required to justify the costs involved.
Might sound counterintuitive but if they are directly owned boutiques, do they need to actually make money? Is there an element of using them to write of tax bills etc? Goldsmiths are also apparently moving to a larger unit, I worked in the original store when it first opened in 1998.
I understand the brand experience, but I can’t see how these stores are going to generate the sales required to justify the costs involved.
Mezzanine said:
bristolbaron said:
I haven’t yet seen the boutique, but know the others. A friend (and ex colleague from my retail days) is managing the Bremont store.
Goldsmiths are also apparently moving to a larger unit, I worked in the original store when it first opened in 1998.
I understand the brand experience, but I can’t see how these stores are going to generate the sales required to justify the costs involved.
Might sound counterintuitive but if they are directly owned boutiques, do they need to actually make money? Is there an element of using them to write of tax bills etc? Goldsmiths are also apparently moving to a larger unit, I worked in the original store when it first opened in 1998.
I understand the brand experience, but I can’t see how these stores are going to generate the sales required to justify the costs involved.
Edited by Skyman on Wednesday 7th September 17:55
Mezzanine said:
Might sound counterintuitive but if they are directly owned boutiques, do they need to actually make money? Is there an element of using them to write of tax bills etc?
I believe the boutiques are usually owned by the big chains, Goldsmiths, Watches of Switzerland etc. There's a big Rolex store in Leeds all the branding is Rolex nut it is actually owned by Berrys's who have around 4 other stores also in the city.
Edited by Jamescrs on Wednesday 7th September 21:01
Jamescrs said:
Mezzanine said:
Might sound counterintuitive but if they are directly owned boutiques, do they need to actually make money? Is there an element of using them to write of tax bills etc?
I believe the boutiques are usually owned by the big chains, Goldsmiths, Watches of Switzerland etc. Jamescrs said:
I believe the boutiques are usually owned by the big chains, Goldsmiths, Watches of Switzerland etc.
There's a big Rolex store in Leeds all the branding is Rolex nut it is actually owned by Berrys's who have around 4 other stores also in the city.
They must be. Call the Tudor store in Meadowhall before opening time and you go through to the Beaverbrooks next door! Not sure I like it, really. I like having a single point of contact in one store who can get what I want. There's a big Rolex store in Leeds all the branding is Rolex nut it is actually owned by Berrys's who have around 4 other stores also in the city.
Edited by Jamescrs on Wednesday 7th September 21:01
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