Swiss Watchmakers Fear Retail Glut and Discounts After Boom
- Brands including Moser, Oris and Parmigiani see slower growth
- Industry is navigating a downturn after the pandemic
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Facing a drop in demand after the pandemic-era boom, Swiss watchmakers are bracing for a new challenge: retailers cutting prices to unload stock.
At a trade show in Geneva last week, chief executive officers of watch manufacturers said they will limit shipments to stores this year to counter a slowdown that has seen consumers rein in spending and second-hand prices tumble. They want to prevent retailers from becoming awash with inventory, which typically leads to discounting that can undermine a luxury watch brand’s image of exclusivity.