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Luxury Watches - UK

Published by: Mintel International Group Ltd.

Published: Jul. 1, 2005 - 87 Pages


Table of Contents




Introduction and Abbreviations

Definition
Consumer research
ACORN
Advertising data
Abbreviations
Executive Summary
Men’s attitudes fashion are changing
Market witnessing steady growth
Women’s watches growing faster
Rolex dominates
Strong brand image requires heavy media spend
Independents dominate
Consumers are more receptive
Portents for the future
Market Drivers
Attitudes towards fashion, style and dressing
Figure 1: Attitudes towards style and fashion, 2000-04
Men want to stand out in the crowd
Figure 2: Attitudes towards style and fashion, by gender, age and socio-economic group, 2004
Accessories and style
Growth in 15-24-year-olds providing a favourable operating environment
Figure 3: Trends in the UK population, by gender and age group, 2000-05
Growth in ABs providing a rich and productive body of consumers
Figure 4: Trends in socio-economic groups, 2000 and 2005
More women at work
Figure 5: Trends in workforce, by gender, 2000-05
Economic health
Figure 6: PDI and consumer expenditure, at constant prices, 2000-05
Skills base
Counterfeits
Market Size and Trends
Figure 7: UK retail sales of watches, 2000-05
Volume continuing to outstrip value
Figure 8: UK retail sales of mainstream and luxury watches, by sector, 2000-05
Luxury watches account for only 3% of the watch market in volume…
Figure 9: Luxury watch sales as a proportion of total watch sales in the UK, 2000-05
...but 55% in value
Healthy growth
Figure 10: UK retail sales of luxury watches, 2000-05
Increase in unit price
Younger buyers
Change and innovation
Style
Size and simplicity
Diamonds
Limited editions
Gift purchase
Celebrity association
Watchmaking and jewellery
Market Segmentation
Mechanical watches dominate
Men’s watches are most important
Figure 11: Luxury watch sales, by gender, by volume and value, 2001-05
Women’s growing importance
Femininity and fashion
Women and mechanics
Figure 12: UK retail sales of luxury watches, by type, by volume and value, 2001-05
Mechanical interest and affordability
New Product Developments

Spring Drive movement
Technology and the future
Materials
Technology as protection?
The Supply Structure
Imports
The Swiss name
Swiss exports
Figure 13: Swiss watch exports, by leading countries of destination, 2000-04
The UK as an importer
Brand shares
Groupings
Figure 14: Major groups and their watch brands, 2003
Figure 15: Brand shares in the UK luxury watch market, 2002 and 2005
Companies and brands
The Rolex Watch Company
The Swatch Group of brands
Omega
Longines
Rado
Other Swatch brands
The LVMH Group of brands
TAG Heuer
Zenith
Other LVMH brands
Gucci Group
Gucci
The Richemont Group of brands
Cartier
Baume & Mercier
IWC
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Other Richemont brands
Raymond Weil
Oris
Maurice Lacroix
Breitling
Other companies
Advertising and Promotion
Figure 16: Main monitored advertising expenditure on watches and luxury watches, 2000-04
High advertising-to-sales ratio
Print media
International media
Figure 17: Largest luxury watch advertisers, 2002 and 2004
Rolex
TAG Heuer and Breitling
Omega and the Swatch Group
Goldsmiths Group
Other advertisers
Sponsorship
Trade events
Other below the line
Distribution
Figure 18: UK retail sales of luxury watches, by type of outlet, 2002 and 2005
Retail change
Independents - a clear competitive advantage
General jewellers
Dedicated jewellers and watchmakers
Other independents
Multiples
The MW Group
The Goldsmiths Group
The Signet Group
The Consumer
Ownership
Figure 19: Ownership and potential ownership of luxury watches, 1999-2005
Upward trend for ownership
Potential ownership also up
The gift element
Non-buyer trends suggest growing interest in category
Favourable shift in attitudes
Desirable features
Figure 20: Features sought in a luxury watch, April-May 2005
General qualities
Branding
Functionality
Men look for more conspicuous added functions
Holding value
ABC1 consumers look for Swiss heritage
Figure 21: Consumers who look for the Swiss-made feature of a luxury watch, April-May 2005
Brands appeal to under-25s
Desirable Features - Detailed Demographics
Figure 22: Features sought in a luxury watch, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April-May 2005
Figure 23: Features sought in a luxury watch, by presence of children, lifestage and Mintel’s Special Groups, April-May 2005
Figure 24: Features sought in a luxury watch, by marital and working status, April-May 2005
Figure 25: Features sought in a luxury watch, by region and ACORN category, April-May 2005
Figure 26: Features sought in a luxury watch, by media usage, commercial TV viewing and supermarket usage, April-May 2005
The Future
Omens are good
Favourable demographics provide a fertile background to growth
Figure 40: Projected UK population, by age, 2005 and 2010
More women in work delaying families for longer
Figure 41: Forecast trends in UK labour market, 2005-10
Innovation will remain key
Luxury watches must maintain their exclusivity
Forecast
Optimistic future growth
Figure 42: Forecast of UK retail sales of luxury watches, 2005-10
Figure 43: Forecast of UK volume sales of luxury watches, 2005-10
Amicable future conditions underlie positive growth
On the perception of luxury watches
Figure 44: Forecast of UK retail sales of luxury watches, by value and volume, 2000-10
Factors incorporated in the forecast

Abstract

Mintel estimates that the total UK market for luxury watches is worth £405 million in 2005. Since 1996 there has been shifting consumer attitudes leading to substantial increases in demand for luxury watches. Women are now playing a greater role in the market and there has been an increase in the aspirations of younger consumers towards the ownership of luxury watches.

Bringing together the most innovative consumer research and latest market analysis, Mintel's new report offers you all the insight and inspiration you need for designing clever, creative and profitable marketing strategies. Use Mintel's research to:

  • Track the market’s size, trends, drivers and segmentation
  • Discover what the luxury watch consumer considers to be the most important features of watch, enabling you to tailor your offering accordingly
  • Pin point market potential before your competitors Find out how to best reach key audiences with the most effective marketing communications
  • Measure market forecasts and build realistic business models
  • Gain insight into future trends
  • Develop the next big idea in the luxury watch market
  • Gather in-depth information about consumer target groups, including key demographics and media targeting information

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