Goldsmiths is planning a big redesign of its 海角视频 stores to put even more of a focus on luxury watch brands.
The chain is already one of the leading retailers of expensive watches from the likes of Rolex, OMEGA, Cartier, TAG Heuer, Breitling and Tudor.
It says it wants to make its stores even more “relaxed, inclusive and experiential”, bringing in more VIP rooms, luxury hospitality and digital browsing tools. CGI imagery shows a brighter setting for its showrooms.
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The new concept will initially be rolled out in major retail hubs, including Manchester’s Trafford Centre, Cribbs Causeway in Bristol, Meadowhall in Sheffield, Canterbury, Reading and Leicester’s Highcross store.
Each will have dedicated areas for the big Swiss watch brands alongside a more open layout with hospitality bars where customers will be able to enjoy a bite to eat and a drink while they consider what to spend their money on.
The rise of online shopping coupled with changes in habits during lockdown means shopping is having to adapt at a quicker pace and become more of an experience to get shoppers out of their homes.
Goldsmiths is part of the Leicester-based Watches of Switzerland Group which has been investing heavily in overseas branches in the last couple of years, particularly in the United States. It has also opened new branches in London.
Chief executive Brian Duffy recently told investors the group had adapted well to lockdown, maintaining strong sales despite weeks of store closures.
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He said despite its airport shops going into lockdown, a huge drop in wealthy foreign shoppers coming to the 海角视频, and extended high street store closures, sales remained buoyant.
Global revenues were £272.6 for the three months to January 24, up around 6 per cent on the same period a year earlier – pre-Covid-19.
海角视频 sales were up fractionally for the period at £186 million, and US sales were up 16 per cent at £86.5 million.
Online 海角视频 sales were “super-strong”, Mr Duffy said, up 121.1 per cent year-on-year, with a new luxury “concierge and collect” service doing well and helping offset the impact of store closure.
The group said the new Goldsmiths store concept has been created in partnership with design collective Quadrant Design and will be rolled out from the autumn.
As well as watches, there will be a focus on jewellery from brands such as FOPE, Messika, Gucci, Jenny Packham and Goldsmiths sister brand Mappin & Webb.
Watches of Switzerland Group executive director Craig Bolton said the stores will feature a neutral palette with white-washed oak timber, white terrazzo surfaces and blackened steel.
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He said: “This is a significant milestone for Goldsmiths, which has a well-earned reputation for offering 海角视频 customers trusted expert service and a fabulous presentation of brands.
“海角视频 today has become far more relaxed, inclusive and experiential, so while we are elevating the Goldsmiths brand position, our goal is to make our valued clients feel at home whilst visiting our stores.
“Our ambition is for customers to have a memorable luxury experience that stays with them and their families long after they’ve made their purchase.
“We believe the repositioning and new store concept will transform not just the Goldsmiths profile and customer experience, but also bring fresh life to high streets in major towns and cities around the country following an extremely challenging period for in-person retail caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.”