Switzerland
This coverage examines Switzerland’s influence on the UK retail landscape, with a focus on Swiss-owned brands, luxury watch and chocolate retail, cross-border trade, import regulations, and consumer preferences. Reporting highlights how Swiss market dynamics, supply chains, and brand strategies intersect with UK retail operations—offering insights for executives, buyers, and professionals managing premium sourcing and international partnerships.
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Feb- 2023 -10 FebruaryHigh Street
Watches of Switzerland falls short of expectations amid Christmas strikes
Watches of Switzerland has reported that its revenues increased 17% to £407m in the 13 weeks to January 29 this year, narrowly falling short of analysts’ consensus expectations of £425m. The company said its lower than expected sales growth was because of rail and postal strikes over Christmas and general…
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Jan- 2023 -13 JanuaryPeople Moves
Card Factory appoints new CFO
Card Factory has announced the appointment of Matthias Seeger as its new chief financial officer. He is expected to take up his new role in May 2023. Seeger has been CFO of Ambassador Cruise Line Limited since February 2022, having previously been CFO of Costcutter Supermarkets Group from September 2015…
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Dec- 2022 -14 DecemberLuxury Goods
Watches of Switzerland sees H1 results surge 31% to £765m
Watches of Switzerland has revealed its revenues increased 31% to £765m during the first half of the year ended 30 October 2022. The company has seen a “continued strong demand” for luxury watches and jewellery and has attributed revenue growth to increased prices. UK revenues increased 8% to £454m, which…
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12 DecemberHigh Street
Monsoon sales rise 43% in FY22
Monsoon saw its sales rise 43% to £258m and a strong gross margin performance of 5.3% that helped double the group’s EBITDA to £24.4m, a rise of 132%, for the financial year ended 31 August 2022. The fashion retailer’s results come as its like-for-like sales grew 105%, thanks in part…
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Nov- 2022 -22 NovemberLuxury Goods
Watches of Switzerland expands Canary Wharf showroom
Watches of Switzerland has unveiled its newly refurbished Canary Wharf showroom, having added the unit next door, more than doubling its size. The new showroom adds to the group’s portfolio within the shopping centre after the recent openings of both Omega and Breitling mono-brand boutiques. The refurbished showroom has a…
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Sep- 2022 -27 SeptemberAnalysis
Could Selfridges succeed where others have failed?
UK high streets have been on the decline for many years now, having lost 83% of all department stores nationwide in the past five years alone. Unsurprisingly, the departure of these businesses has left gaps in trade within high streets. It was reported that 50 shops a day closed their…
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20 SeptemberDepartment Stores
Selfridges’ owners eye first regional UK expansion in 20 years
Central Group Europe, Selfridge’s operating company, is said to be targeting regional cities in the UK for the first time in 20 years, according to the Financial Times. The luxury department store group currently operates from Oxford Street in London, as well as one store in Birmingham and two in…
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Aug- 2022 -19 AugustM&A
Central Group and Signa Holdings complete Selfridges acquisition
Central Group and Signa Holding have completed the acquisition of Selfridges Group from the Weston Family in a deal that is thought to be worth around £4bn. Following the news of the acquisition in December 2021, Selfridges Group portfolio, which comprises 18 stores under four banners in three countries, namely…
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16 AugustNews
Watches of Switzerland Q1 revenues hit £391m
The Watches of Switzerland Group PLC has reported a 31% rise in group revenues year-on-year from £297m to £391m for the 13 weeks to 31 July 2022 (Q1 FY23), benefiting from de-stocking and pent up demand as showrooms reopened following Covid-19 lockdowns. Luxury watches sales grew 32% to £342m, representing…
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Jul- 2022 -7 JulyLuxury Goods
Watches of Switzerland hits ‘record’ sales of £1.24bn
Watches of Switzerland has delivered “record” sales in FY22, with revenues up 40% to £1.24bn in the year ending 1 May 2022, with UK revenue up by 36% to £810m. Adjusted EBITDA also jumped 54% to £162m as the group saw continued strong demand for luxury watches and luxury jewellery.…
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