Skip to main content

Swiss Watch Exports Rose 2.4% Last Year Lifted By High-End Pieces

PARIS — Swiss watch exports inched up 2.4 percent in 2019, lifted by demand for high-end pieces and despite a steep drop in business in Hong Kong, the industry’s most important market, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry said on Tuesday. “The general situation will remain complex and require watch brands to adapt accordingly,” cautioned the federation, noting a challenging environment for the sector due to geopolitical uncertainty, increased competition, a sharp rise in the pre-owned market and fast-changing consumption habits, among other reasons. The increasing popularity of connected watches — the Apple watch in particular — has posed a challenge to traditional watchmakers. Exports totaled 21.7 billion Swiss francs, or $22.4 billion, fueled by growth in Asia, excluding Hong Kong, where exports fell 11.4 percent due to protests. The region accounted for more than half of export turnover. In terms of volumes, however, Switzerland shipped 20.6 million watches, 3.1 million fewer than the previous year, and falling below the level seen in the crisis year of 2009, when the financial crisis spooked watch consumers. The federation compared the decline to the dip seen in the early Eighties. A bellwether of the luxury industry, Swiss watch exports are eyed by investors looking for

Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.



from WWDWWD https://ift.tt/30YIRfn
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 12 Best Floral Delivery Services to Easily Order Christmas Flowers Online

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission. Few gift ideas have stood the test of time quite like a stunning bouquet of flowers filled with a variety of lush, blooming florals along with sprigs of complimentary greenery. Sending an arrangement of flowers is everyone’s favorite go-to gift idea to spread love on Mother’s Day, a birthday, anniversary, to say thanks, or simply show appreciation for someone special in your life. And at this time of year, sending flowers makes for an always-cherished holiday gift as well. Although fresh bouquets won’t last forever, they’re a heartwarming gift. “Flowers are something that makes everyone smile,” says Emily Reifel, director of social events at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. “With flowers, you don’t have to do anything. It’s easy — it comes, it’s beautiful, and the recipient just gets to enjoy the beauty of it. There’s no work on their end at all.” We’ve ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kobe Bryant and wife ‘had deal to never fly in helicopter together’

The basketball star and his daughter tragically died in a helicopter crash this week Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna both tragically died in a helicopter crash this week. And, while the NBA basketball player would regularly use helicopters to travel around Los Angeles, his wife Vanessa Bryant had previously agreed to never fly with him. A source told PEOPLE: “He and Vanessa had a deal that they would never fly on a helicopter together.” They added that Kobe “only” flew in helicopters with pilot Ara Zobayan , who was among the seven others killed in the crash, alongside Kobe and Gianna. READ MORE CELEBRITY NEWS Kobe and Gianna are survived by Vanessa, and their other daughters Natalia , Bianka , and Capri , who was only born in June last year. Kobe previously revealed he began using helicopters while he still played for the Los Angeles Lakers because bad traffic meant he was missing quality time with his family. He told Alex Rodriguez in 2018: “I was sittin...
Post a Comment
Read more

EXCLUSIVE: MacKenzie-Childs and Renowned Photographer Gray Malin Team Up on Winter-Coded Home Collab

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission. “It turns out we were both fans of one another’s work,” esteemed fine-art photographer Gray Malin says of approaching home brand MacKenzie-Childs and instantly clicking with it as far as style sensibilities go. The rest, as they say, is history. Considering Malin is most known for his aerial shots featuring sunny beaches in iconic destinations (from Positano to the Hamptons), it’s quite surprising that the fruitful output of their partnership — a limited-edition, just-launched collection punctuated by 15 pieces spanning dinnerware and home accessories — is all about snow-covered mountains. Enter: The MacKenzie-Childs x Gray Malin capsule, whose design motifs are rooted in Malin’s no-less-captivating works capturing skiers amidst alpine environments. For the occasion, the featured pieces also debut a never-before-seen, icy-blue take on MacKenzie-C...
Post a Comment
Read more