Watches of Switzerland sets its dials to second-hand luxury
UK-based retailer of Rolex, Piguet and Cartier sees total group sales exceeding £3bn by 2028
07 November 2023 - 13:10
byAatrayee Chatterjee
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
An employee adjusts a display of luxury watches at the Watches of Switzerland flagship retail store on Regent Street in London, UK. File photo: SIMON DAWSON/BLOOMBERG
Watches of Switzerland, which sells Rolex, Piguet and Cartier, outlined plans to more than double its annual profits by fiscal year 2028, spurred by growth in the US and expansion into the booming second-hand luxury market.
Shares in the UK-based luxury retailer rose by as much as 14% in early trade on Tuesday as it sought to reassure investors after Rolex’s purchase of retailer Bucherer in August raised concerns about its prospects.
Watches of Switzerland reported a 5% rise in quarterly revenue at constant currency, partly helped by a more than 80% surge in sales of pre-owned products.
A slowdown in China and uncertainty caused by interest rates in Europe and the US have pressured the share price of luxury retailers. But there has also been a surge in people seeking to sell as well as to buy second-hand luxury goods, benefiting companies such as Watches of Switzerland.
“We are excited by the opportunity available to us in the pre-owned market, particularly from the new Rolex Certified Pre-Owned programme, which we expect to deliver 20% of new Rolex in the US and 10% in the UK by FY28,” CEO Brian Duffy said.
Watches of Switzerland aims for group sales to surpass the £3bn milestone by the end of its fiscal 2028.
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets said the company’s long-range revenue and profit plans were ahead of market expectations.
Duffy added the company sought significant growth potential in the luxury branded jewellery market and expects it to comprise a substantially larger share of total revenue as it expands in the US and leverages partnerships with US megabrands.
The London-listed company reiterated its fiscal year 2024 sales and profit forecast.
Rival Richemont is scheduled to report its interim results on Friday.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Watches of Switzerland sets its dials to second-hand luxury
UK-based retailer of Rolex, Piguet and Cartier sees total group sales exceeding £3bn by 2028
Watches of Switzerland, which sells Rolex, Piguet and Cartier, outlined plans to more than double its annual profits by fiscal year 2028, spurred by growth in the US and expansion into the booming second-hand luxury market.
Shares in the UK-based luxury retailer rose by as much as 14% in early trade on Tuesday as it sought to reassure investors after Rolex’s purchase of retailer Bucherer in August raised concerns about its prospects.
Watches of Switzerland reported a 5% rise in quarterly revenue at constant currency, partly helped by a more than 80% surge in sales of pre-owned products.
A slowdown in China and uncertainty caused by interest rates in Europe and the US have pressured the share price of luxury retailers. But there has also been a surge in people seeking to sell as well as to buy second-hand luxury goods, benefiting companies such as Watches of Switzerland.
“We are excited by the opportunity available to us in the pre-owned market, particularly from the new Rolex Certified Pre-Owned programme, which we expect to deliver 20% of new Rolex in the US and 10% in the UK by FY28,” CEO Brian Duffy said.
Watches of Switzerland aims for group sales to surpass the £3bn milestone by the end of its fiscal 2028.
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets said the company’s long-range revenue and profit plans were ahead of market expectations.
Duffy added the company sought significant growth potential in the luxury branded jewellery market and expects it to comprise a substantially larger share of total revenue as it expands in the US and leverages partnerships with US megabrands.
The London-listed company reiterated its fiscal year 2024 sales and profit forecast.
Rival Richemont is scheduled to report its interim results on Friday.
Reuters
Putin insider Medvedev sneers at Danish brewer Carlsberg
Remgro’s 70 years of experience stands it in good stead to weather SA storm, Rupert says
AB InBev announces $1bn share buyback
McDonald’s prospers as cheaper menu and new items lift demand
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Birkenstock stock strides to top rating by Wall Street
UK online fashion retailer Boohoo defends treatment of suppliers
UK’s Sainsbury’s pleased as it says it is gaining volume from competitors
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.