FinancialsFeb 08, 2024
5 Things to Know About Pandora’s Latest ResultsFinancialsFeb 08, 2024
Watches of Switzerland’s Q3 Sales Dip Due to ‘Tough’ Holiday Season
While sales rose in the U.S. market, demand for watches and jewelry was slow in the U.K.
Watches of Switzerland’s store in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. The company reported declining sales in the third quarter, with holiday sales lower than expected.
London—Watches of Switzerland posted declining sales in its third quarter following a difficult holiday season.
The retailer had warned of a potential sales dip in a trading update last month and lowered its full-year guidance.
While it had a positive start to Q3, which includes the months of November and December, it described conditions as “volatile” around Christmas.
“Trading in the run-up to and beyond Christmas was tougher than originally expected, particularly in the U.K. amidst slower demand for luxury discretionary purchases,” said the company.
For the third quarter ending Jan. 28, the company posted £397 million ($500.2 million) in total revenue, down 3 percent year-over-year at actual rates and 1 percent at constant currency rates.
For the first nine months of the year, revenue totaled £1.16 billion ($1.46 billion), down 1 percent year-over-year at actual rates and up 1 percent at constant currency rates.
The company’s luxury jewelry category struggled, with sales growth in luxury branded jewelry offset by a weaker performance in its non-branded jewelry segment.
Revenue in the category was down 18 percent in the quarter (down 16 percent at constant currency rates) and down 17 percent in the first nine months (down 15 percent at constant currency rates).
Luxury watches account for the majority of Watches of Switzerland’s revenue, up to 85 percent from 84 percent in the prior Q3.
Quarterly sales in the luxury watches category slipped 1 percent year-over-year (up 1 percent at constant currency rates) while sales in the first nine months were flat (up 2 percent at constant currency rates).
Watches of Switzerland’s “services/other” segment saw growth, up 4 percent in the quarter (up 5 percent at constant currency rates) and up 5 percent in the first nine months (up 6 percent at constant currency rates).
E-commerce sales fell 15 percent at actual rates, impacted by the mix of products and the U.K. market’s performance, said the company.
Related stories will be right here …
The retailer had warned of a potential sales dip in a trading update last month and lowered its full-year guidance.
While it had a positive start to Q3, which includes the months of November and December, it described conditions as “volatile” around Christmas.
“Trading in the run-up to and beyond Christmas was tougher than originally expected, particularly in the U.K. amidst slower demand for luxury discretionary purchases,” said the company.
For the third quarter ending Jan. 28, the company posted £397 million ($500.2 million) in total revenue, down 3 percent year-over-year at actual rates and 1 percent at constant currency rates.
For the first nine months of the year, revenue totaled £1.16 billion ($1.46 billion), down 1 percent year-over-year at actual rates and up 1 percent at constant currency rates.
The company’s luxury jewelry category struggled, with sales growth in luxury branded jewelry offset by a weaker performance in its non-branded jewelry segment.
Revenue in the category was down 18 percent in the quarter (down 16 percent at constant currency rates) and down 17 percent in the first nine months (down 15 percent at constant currency rates).
Luxury watches account for the majority of Watches of Switzerland’s revenue, up to 85 percent from 84 percent in the prior Q3.
Quarterly sales in the luxury watches category slipped 1 percent year-over-year (up 1 percent at constant currency rates) while sales in the first nine months were flat (up 2 percent at constant currency rates).
Watches of Switzerland’s “services/other” segment saw growth, up 4 percent in the quarter (up 5 percent at constant currency rates) and up 5 percent in the first nine months (up 6 percent at constant currency rates).
E-commerce sales fell 15 percent at actual rates, impacted by the mix of products and the U.K. market’s performance, said the company.
In the United States, sales were strong across all regions, it said, as it gains market share in the fragmented luxury watch market.
Watches of Switzerland’s U.S. revenue grew 3 percent year-over-year in Q3 (up 8 percent at constant currency rates). For the first nine months, U.S. sales grew 5 percent year-over-year (up 10 percent at constant currency rates).
Looking ahead, the company said it expects the challenging conditions to continue through the end of its fiscal year.
Watches of Switzerland’s full-year revenue is expected to range between £1.53 billion and £1.55 billion ($1.94 billion to $1.97 billion), down from its prior guidance of £1.65 billion to £1.7 billion ($2.1 billion to $2.16 billion).
Constant currency revenue growth is forecast at 2 to 3 percent, down from 8 to 11 percent.
As of Jan. 28, Watches of Switzerland had 222 showrooms across the U.S., U.K., and Europe, up from 211 in Q2.
More on Financials
The Latest
MajorsAug 26, 2024
Longtime Industry Sales Trainer Lenny Zell Dies at 97Said to be the first to write a jewelry sales manual for the industry, Zell is remembered for his zest for life.
WatchesAug 26, 2024
IWC Is Sending Its Watches to SpaceThe company outfitted the Polaris Dawn spaceflight crew with watches that will later be auctioned off to benefit St. Jude’s.
AuctionsAug 23, 2024
Abernethy Pearl Tops Estimates at Auction A buyer paid more than $100,000 for the gemstone known as “Little Willie,” setting a new auction record for a Scottish freshwater pearl.
Brought to you by
Watch: Natural Diamonds: A Great (but Often Untold) Geology StorySupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA.
CollectionsAug 23, 2024
Piece of the Week: Gumuchian’s Colorful ‘Spectrum’ NecklaceAnita Gumuchian created the 18-karat yellow gold necklace using 189 carats of colored gemstones she spent the last 40 years collecting.
Weekly QuizAug 23, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 22, 2024
2,492-Carat Diamond Recovered From Botswana Diamond MineThe giant gem came from Karowe, the same mine that yielded the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona and the 1,758-carat Sewelô diamond.
TrendsAug 22, 2024
Kaley Cuoco Has a Three-Stone Engagement Ring With a TwistThe three-stone ring was designed by Shahla Karimi Jewelry and represents Cuoco, her fiancé Tom Pelphrey, and their child.
Brought to you by
Watch: Forging the Next Generation of Skilled Bench Jewelers at GIASupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
CollectionsAug 22, 2024
Greenwich St. Jewelers Collabs with TikTok Jewelry Content CreatorThe Manhattan jewelry store has partnered with Xarissa B. of Jewel Boxing on a necklace capsule collection.
TechnologyAug 21, 2024
Instagram’s Notes Feature Expands to Posts, ReelsActing as temporary virtual Post-it notes, Notes are designed to help strengthen mutual connections, not reach new audiences.
TrendsAug 21, 2024
Carol Woolton To Release New BookThe jewelry historian discusses the history and cultural significance of jewelry throughout time and across the globe.
TrendsAug 21, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shimmy and ShakeFrom fringe and tassels to pieces that give the illusion they are in motion, jewelry with movement is trending.
IndependentsAug 20, 2024
Mixed-Media Jewelry Artist Jan Yager Dies at 72The designer and maker found community around her Philadelphia studio and creative inspiration on the sidewalks below it.
ColumnistsAug 20, 2024
Google Ads Payment Policy Change: What It Means For YouThe change to accepted payment methods for Google Ads might seem like an irritation but actually is an opportunity, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
IndependentsAug 20, 2024
Pat Henneberry Releases MemoirThe industry consultant’s new book focuses on what she learned as an athlete recovering from a broken back.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2024
The Ethical Gem Fair Is Going to CaliforniaThe fair will take place on the West Coast for the first time, hosted by Altana Fine Jewelry in Oakland, California.
MajorsAug 20, 2024
Kathy Hillelson Joins Board of WJA Foundation Hillelson is a second-generation diamantaire and CEO of Owl Financial Group.
Events & AwardsAug 19, 2024
Nominations Are Open for the 2025 Gem AwardsSubmissions in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Excellence will be accepted through this Friday, Aug. 23.
AuctionsAug 19, 2024
Scotland’s Famed Abernethy Pearl Is Up for Sale Known as “Little Willie,” it’s the largest freshwater pearl found in recent history in Scotland and is notable for its shape and color.
IndependentsAug 19, 2024
Kentucky Jeweler Closing After 89 YearsClements Jewelers in Madisonville cited competition from larger retailers and online sellers as the driving factor.
SourcingAug 19, 2024
A&C Gem Trading Corp. Relocates, Opens Wholesale ShowroomThe gemstone company is moving to the Ross Metal Exchange in New York City’s Diamond District.
CrimeAug 16, 2024
Jewels Stolen During Green Vault Heist Back on DisplayMost of the 18th century royal jewelry taken from the Green Vault Museum in Dresden, Germany, in 2019 went back on display this week.
IndependentsAug 16, 2024
Louis Anthony Jewelers Announces First Resort StoreThe Pittsburgh jeweler has opened a store in the nearby Nemacolin resort.
CollectionsAug 16, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jonne Amaya’s ‘Cat Claw’ NecklaceWith a 40-carat cabochon emerald, this necklace is as powerful and elegant as a cat.
Events & AwardsAug 16, 2024
IJO Names Jewel-Craft as VIP Vendor of the YearThe Erlanger, Kentucky-based company was recognized for its reliability when it comes to repairs and fast turnaround times.
SourcingAug 15, 2024
Greenland Ruby Is Up For SaleUnable to pay its debts, the ruby and sapphire miner is looking to restructure and become a “competitive and attractive” company.
TrendsAug 15, 2024
Paola De Luca to Debut Trendbook 2026+ at VicenzaoroThe trend forecaster’s latest guide has intel on upcoming trends in the jewelry market.
