The Hindu Business Line : Longines to expand footprint in retail space

Swiss watch brand Longines plans to have 8-10 exclusive stores across India within the next three years, according to Mr Charles Villoz, Vice-President Sales, Longines Watch Co. Francillon Ltd, Switzerland.

While on a visit to Kolkata recently, Mr Villoz told Business Line that the number of multi-brand stores which also stock Longines watches was expected to go up from 65 to 100-120 within the next three years.

According to him, the Indian market for luxury watch brands was growing fast and Longines had firmed up plans to expand its footprint on the Indian retail space. Longines already has one exclusive showroom each in Chennai and New Delhi.

The setting up of each showroom would entail an investment of $200,000-$1 million depending on its location. India, currently accounts for less than 10 per cent of revenue generated from Longines’ sales globally.

Retail environment

“The market for watches, in general, depends upon the retail environment. The retail environment in India has been changing in the last 10 years. As the retail environment evolves, we may also spread out to the tier-II cities,” Mr Villoz said, adding that “independent entrepreneurship for retailing of watches is missing in India”.

In India, Longines watches are available across “three pillars and six core collections”.

A total of 180 products under the “affordable luxury” Longines brand are available here. They are priced between Rs 20,000 and Rs 80,000. Within the next three months, one product from the ‘Retrograde Collection’ will be launched in India. It is expected to be priced at around $4,500, Mr Villoz said. He ruled out setting up any manufacturing facility in India. The team working for the company’s Indian subsidiary under its Brand Director, however, provides inputs pertaining to designs that are likely to find favour in the Indian market.

“We do not propose to have a dedicated design team based in India. However, we do have Indian designers working for us in Switzerland,” Mr Villoz said.

More Stories on : Retailing | Watches & Accessories

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Thomas Cook, Japan’s JTB sign up for corporate travel

Certified event management training course

Joy of flying 1…2…3 steps away

Allied Media bags Su-Kam account

Percept signs on Madhur Bhandarkar

Hyundai’s contest for i10 car

Deepika is Tissot’s brand ambassador

Longines to expand footprint in retail space

Bisleri to back water sports

Toto plans to launch 12 outlets

FACT marketing imported fertilisers

CCEA nod for marketing scheme

M&M launches vehicles in Sudan