Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Friday, Oct 12, 2007
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Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Friday, Oct 12, 2007 ePaper |
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Marketing
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Brands Swatch launching Hamilton, Leon Hatot brands in India
Watches displayed at a Swatch showroom in Chennai. Debdatta Das New Delhi, Oct.11 The Swiss watch major Swatch Group said that it was in the process of launching two new brands, Hamilton and Leon Hatot, into the Indian market by the end of the year. While, Hamilton is a mid-range American brand, Leon Hatot is a high-end luxury brand of watches and jewellery for women. Speaking to Business Line, Mr Matthias Breschan, President, Hamilton International Ltd said, “The Hamilton brand is already available in some stores in India. However, the brand will have pan-India presence very soon.” The company intends to be present across 50 points of sale, in most of the major cities and metros in the country by December 2007. The presence will be mostly across multi-store outlets that already sell Swatch Group brands, and across luxury malls and high street locations. Hamilton was acquired by the Swatch Group, as a part of its portfolio of 18 world-renowned brands. Four years ago, the manufacturing hub of Hamilton was shifted from the US to Biel in Switzerland, where it is now headquartered. The watches are priced between Rs 25,000 and Rs 80,000 with the average price point being Rs 35,000. The brand has two basic collections — the American Khakhi, military timepieces; and the American Classic collection inspired from Hollywood. On marketing and brand-value creation in India, Mr Breschan said the company would advertise in lifestyle magazines as well as get involved with the Hindi film industry as it has been involved with over 300 Hollywood movies Top priorityMeanwhile, Mr G. Nicolas Hayek, Jr., CEO, Swatch Group, told Business Line in Geneva, Switzerland at the 175th year celebration of Longines recently, that having established the Group through well-accepted brands such as Omega, Longines, Tissot, Rado and Calvin Klein, the company had made India a high-priority market in the Asian region. ‘We will touch the 100,000-watches mark by the end of the year, and hope to reach the one million mark within the next five-seven years.” He however, expressed concern over the relatively closed foreign direct investment environment in the country as well as the high tax structure as the only impediments in the way of rapid growth. More Stories on : Brands | Watches & Accessories
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