About watch retailers

Retail

THE WATCH FILES

Retail

Founded as a trade magazine, Europa Star has always remained close to watch retailers on the ground. This selection of articles focuses on the “arteries” of the watch business all over the world.

What does the future hold for independent distributors?

What does the future hold for independent distributors?

REPORT

In this special report, consultant and cofounder of the Watch Distributors Directory Thierry Huron shares his latest findings and data on the changing (...)

The resilience of in-house jewellery for retailers

The resilience of in-house jewellery for retailers

INTERVIEW

For decades, family-owned London Jewelers has represented prestigious brands on Long Island. In the midst of the pandemic, the retailer renovated its (...)

Bucherer BLUE: “Bringing exclusivity back to retailers”

Bucherer BLUE: “Bringing exclusivity back to retailers”

INTERVIEW

More and more brands are reserving their most sought-after models for their own shops, which is causing increasing difficulties for multi-brand retailers. (...)

Watch retailers: strategies for dealing with the pandemic

Watch retailers: strategies for dealing with the pandemic

REPORT

With international travel halted, the absence of tourist customers has been keenly felt by the watch retail trade. Without this category of buyers, many (...)

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An app to regain control over watch distribution

An app to regain control over watch distribution

SELLING WATCHES

A new word, promising if not exactly elegant, has made its way into the horological lexicon in 2020: “phygital”. Thomas Baillod is among those who have (...)

The watch retailer of the tech entrepreneurs

The watch retailer of the tech entrepreneurs

IN THE SILICON VALLEY

“The watch culture is very strong here, and we are really just scratching the surface of it as a retailer,” says Jared Silver, who represents the most (...)

“Sell-out has been declining since the start of 2019”

“Sell-out has been declining since the start of 2019”

WATCH INDUSTRY

The monthly sell-out index, compiled by consultant Thierry Huron, reveals that watch sales are in a fragile state of health. In the first quarter, the (...)

The case against flagship stores

The case against flagship stores

OPINION

Of course, Apple is very successful at running their own stores. However this does not mean that every other brand, even a close competitor like Samsung, (...)

Pure Play or Pure Pain?

Pure Play or Pure Pain?

THE MYTHS OF COMMERCE (PART 2/5)

In part 1 of my essay, I might have had you believe that I do not like e-commerce!? Just to be clear…Everybody who has something for sale should consider an (...)

The end of the “regular” retailer

The end of the “regular” retailer

12 DISRUPTIONS IN THE WATCHMAKING INDUSTRY

Bucherer’s acquisition of Tourneau is the latest sign to date of a consolidation in distribution, a move towards becoming more powerful in negotiations with (...)

From retail to e-tail

From retail to e-tail

WATCHWORDS

The English word “retail” has come a long way from its first recorded use, sometime in the 14th century. It comes from the Old French verb retaillier which (...)

Les Ambassadeurs: the “doors” concept

Les Ambassadeurs: the “doors” concept

RETAIL

“From the beginning we had a very clear strategy and positioning as a multibrand retailer."

“The enemy we have to beat is the online grey market”

“The enemy we have to beat is the online grey market”

RETAIL REPORT

“It’s crucial to go digital, and the watch brands have to start engaging with it now or things are going to get very complicated." sinon cela va devenir (...)

Getting future watch distribution right – the fate of an industry

Getting future watch distribution right – the fate of an industry

SCENARIOS

Statements by industry professionals made some 15 years ago reveal that even experts had only a vague idea about what watch distribution would look like (...)

Brick-and-Click Watch Retailing

Brick-and-Click Watch Retailing

EDITORIAL

Once upon a time, things were simpler. A watchmaker would find an agent for each country. That agent had representatives who would pack their watch samples (...)

“A garden of tranquillity in contrast with the digital jungle”

“A garden of tranquillity in contrast with the digital jungle”

BRICK & CLICK / GERMANY

“Faced with chains, supermarkets and mono- brand boutiques, a good number of traditional family boutiques have closed. And this concentration of the market (...)

“We are a service company, not a supermarket”

“We are a service company, not a supermarket”

BRICK & CLICK

A testimonial by Pablo Fuster, Relojería Alemana, in Mallorca (Spain).

“Reinventing yourself as a concept watch store”

“Reinventing yourself as a concept watch store”

BRICK & CLICK / SWITZERLAND

“We’ve been a family business for fifty years. Besides the boutique, 35 years ago we took over a vintage watch shop called Au Vieil (...)

“Necessity is the mother of invention!”

“Necessity is the mother of invention!”

BRICK & CLICK / BELGIUM

"We’re two associates and we launched our multi-brand boutique fairly recently, in 2009. And in the summer of 2017, we also opened the Rolex boutique in (...)

“We believe in the strength of omnichannel”

“We believe in the strength of omnichannel”

BRICK & CLICK / NETHERLANDS

“We come from the diamond sector, where our father already worked. And even today, our turnover is still fairly evenly balanced between jewellery and (...)

“Why would the customer want to buy this product from me?”

“Why would the customer want to buy this product from me?”

BRICK & CLICK / SWITZERLAND

"2017 started quite well in comparison to last year. We have many more guests from abroad back in Lucerne."

“Seeing with their own eyes”

“Seeing with their own eyes”

BRICK & CLICK / JAPAN

"2016 was a difficult year. In reaction, we increased our appeal to new customers by launching a website dedicated to watchmaking."

“Brands must limit production, control supply and stabilise pricing”

“Brands must limit production, control supply and stabilise pricing”

BRICK & CLICK / AUSTRALIA

“2016 was certainly a challenging year for retail. The increase in grey market activity and the aggressive pricing stemming from product dumping resulting (...)

“Consumers are looking for an experience, online or offline”

“Consumers are looking for an experience, online or offline”

BRICK & CLICK / PORTUGAL

“The Portuguese market still outperforms the global current trend."