Watch Shop

WatchShop is a UK online watch retailer.[1] Established in 2007,[2] it was acquired by the UK's largest luxury jeweller, Aurum Holdings Ltd., in 2014.[3] It carries high-street and designer watches and jewellery[2] from brands including Raymond Weil,[4] Coach,[5] and Frédérique Constant.[6]

WatchShop
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail
Founded25 July 2007 in Reading United Kingdom
Headquarters
Reading, Berkshire
,
United Kingdom
Area served
United Kingdom
ProductsWatches, Jewellery, Sunglasses
ParentAurum Holdings
Websitehttps://www.watchshop.com

History

The company was initially registered under the name of S D K Jewellers Ltd.,[7] and launched as part of the Reading-based jewellery retailer SDK Jewellers, which was founded in 1991 by Sham Naib.[8]

Naib's son, Kishore Naib, joined the business in 2007 and established the website www.watchshop.com. SDK Jewellers was officially renamed Watch Shop Ltd. in January 2013.[7]

In June 2011, the company launched its first TV ad campaign,[9] which aired across UK digital channels including ITV2, E4, More4 and Sky News.[10]

Aurum Holdings is the UK's largest luxury jeweller[3] and owns retailers such as Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland. It purchased the company in 2014.[8]

In April 2017, the company began selling sunglasses from designer brands including Ray-Ban, Nike and Emporio Armani.[11][12]

Charitable activities

In March 2011, the company partnered with Casio to raise relief funds for the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.[13]

In September 2016, the company worked with Guess watches and the Get In Touch Foundation to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.[14]

Cultural references

In 2011, the company supplied The X Factor TalkBack Thames production team with Casio watches.[15]

Awards
Year Type of award Awarding body
2018 eCommerce Watch Retailer of the year Online retail[16]
2017 eCommerce Watch Retailer of the year Online retail[17]
2016 Pureplay Top50 Ecommerce Retailers Online retail[18]
2011 Ranked 53 in Sunday Times Fast Track 100 Sales[19]
2010 Ranked 16 in Sunday Times Fast Track 100 Sales[20]
2010 Shopzilla Circle of Excellence Awards Online retail[21]

References
  1. Maggie O'Sullivan (29 March 2010). "Watchshop: Good buy guide". The Telegraph.
  2. David Millward (7 June 2013). "Fast Track success for family firm". Get Reading.
  3. Kristy Dorsey (1 December 2014). "Monday Interview: Bryan Duffy, Aurum Holdings". The Scotsman.
  4. Siobhan Holt (14 March 2017). "Watchshop.com teams up with Raymond Weil". Retail Jeweller.
  5. Shereen Sagoo (8 October 2015). "Coach has just entered the watch game". GQ.
  6. Rob Corder (14 March 2017). "Watch Shop secures month of exclusivity for Frederique Constant's latest smartwatches". WatchPro.
  7. "Watch Shop LTD". Companies House.
  8. Tom Pegden (8 August 2014). "Goldsmiths owner acquires online leader Watch Shop". Leicester Mercury.
  9. "Video: Watchshop.com launches its first TV advert". Professional Jeweller. 7 June 2011.
  10. Fiona Briggs (7 June 2011). "WatchShop to debut on TV in multi-channel campaign". Retail Times.
  11. Shekina Tauhene (25 April 2017). "Watchshop.com launches sunglasses boutique". Jewellery Focus.
  12. Stacey Hailes (25 April 2017). "Watchshop steps up shopping experience with summer accessories". Professional Jeweller.
  13. "Watchshop.com to donate to Japanese aid efforts". Professional Jeweller. 31 March 2011.
  14. Rob Corder (9 September 2016). "Guess Watches teams with WatchShop to support breast cancer charities". WatchPro.
  15. "WatchShop.com to time new X Factor auditions". Internet Retailing. 4 March 2011.
  16. "2018 WatchPro Awards Winner". WatchPro.
  17. "2017 WatchPro Awards Winner". WatchPro.
  18. "Pureplay Top 100: The best online-only retailers in the UK 2016". Internet Retailing.
  19. "Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2011". 2011.
  20. "Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2010". 2010.
  21. "Online Retailers Celebrate as Shopzilla Awards Excellence". PR Newswire. 16 December 2010.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.