- Don-Alvin Adegeest
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UK-based retailer Watches of Switzerland Group has reported a surge in
pre-tax profits of 181 percent to 20.1 million pounds in the year to 28
April.
The company saw revenue climb 22.5 percent to 773.5 million pounds and a 10
percent rise in like-for like sales.
Watches of Switzerland chief executive Brian Duffy said in a statement: “We
have continued our trajectory of strong, profitable growth in our core
markets of the UK and the US with an increase in sales of 23 percent during
the year. Current trading remains encouraging and we are confident of
meeting the board’s expectations for the financial year ending April 2020.”
The company saw strong sales in the luxury watch category where they
increased by 28.3 percent to 631.4 million pounds to account for 82 percent
of revenue.
“We are the UK’s leading luxury watch retailer, hold a growing position in
the US market, and operate in a highly attractive market in which demand
for luxury watches generally outstrips supply. We are well positioned to
deliver on our strategy and look forward to achieving continued growth in
the year ahead,” Duffy added.
Watches of Switzerland Group made its debut on the London Stock Exchange
end of May and has 15 showrooms in the UK. Its retail brands include Mappin
& Webb, Goldsmiths, The Watch Lab and Watches of Switzerland.
The company is owned by U.S.-based private equity firm Apollo Global
Management and operates 125 shops in Britain. It also operates several
standalone stores in the United States, including branches in Las Vegas and
New York.
Watches of Switzerland Group told Reuters in April that it accounted for
half of all Rolex sold in the UK in 2018.
Photo credit: Rolex via Watches of Switzerland website
