As a part of its continued growth of the North American market and in step with its Lengthy Vary Plan launched in July 2021, The Watches of Switzerland Group (The Group) is asserting its largest growth plan since its entry into the US in 2017. Targeted round constructing its presence in key markets and turning into the clear chief within the US market, The Group has acquired marquis properties held by three of the nation’s main timepiece retailers, together with Ben Bridge on the famend Mall of America exterior Minneapolis-St. Paul, Timeless Luxurious Watches positioned simply north of Dallas in Plano Texas, and the Betteridge boutiques in Greenwich, Connecticut, Vail and Aspen, Colorado. Every location gives distinctive alternatives for expanded development, together with a invaluable inflow of current watch clientele. The companies will, in flip, profit from The Watches of Switzerland Group’s distinctive and specialised strategy to gross sales and customer support that features creating immersive retail environments, supported with dynamic advertising, experiential activations and social engagement, together with its important community of world sources that features Watches of Switzerland, Analog Shift, Mayors, Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths.
As a part of The Group’s growth technique, Ben Bridge and Timeless places will likely be transformed to Watches of Switzerland boutiques, whereas the Betteridge places in Greenwich, Vail and Aspen will proceed to function underneath the present identify for the fast future (Word: the Palm Seashore Betteridge boutique stays underneath the household’s management). The Betteridge, Greenwich CT location will change into the biggest (sq. footage) boutique in The Group’s North American portfolio. As The Group seems to be to change into stewards of the multi-generational Betteridge household enterprise, Terry Betteridge will tackle an advisory position at the side of the three acquired places. His perception as a fourth-generation jeweller will assist guarantee success, because the boutiques will proceed to hold jewellery from main manufacturers together with Chanel, Buccellati, Verdura, and Marco Bicego.
“In some ways this looks like a return to our roots for Betteridge, with my household coming to the US from England in 1892, bringing with them generations price of metalworking abilities,” says Terry Betteridge. He continues, “I am honoured to have the ability to deliver the consultants of my home, the craftsmen and generational custom of excellence, to hitch Watches of Switzerland. Being a valued a part of their world community will permit for the larger world to expertise what makes Betteridge so particular.”
The brand new acquisitions, mixed with current Watches of Switzerland and Mayors boutiques, give The Watches of Switzerland Group a market-leading place within the US, with a strategic retail foothold within the Northeast, South, Midwest and Mountain areas and operations in 4 new states. By means of these 5 acquisitions and the opening of Watches of Switzerland in Kenwood, Ohio, The Group will likely be rising US personnel by 75 by way of retention and new hires.