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]
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 25 July 2007 in Reading United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Watches, Jewellery, Sunglasses |
| Parent | Aurum Holdings |
| Website | https://www.watchshop.com |
History
editThe 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[9] 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,[10] which aired across UK digital channels including ITV2, E4, More4 and Sky News.[11]
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.[12][13]
Charitable activities
editIn March 2011, the company partnered with Casio to raise relief funds for the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.[14]
In September 2016, the company worked with Guess watches and the Get In Touch Foundation to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.[15]
Cultural references
editIn 2011, the company supplied The X Factor TalkBack Thames production team with Casio watches.[16]
Awards
edit| Year | Type of award | Awarding body |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | eCommerce Watch Retailer of the year | Online retail[17] |
| 2017 | eCommerce Watch Retailer of the year | Online retail[18] |
| 2016 | Pureplay Top50 Ecommerce Retailers | Online retail[19] |
| 2011 | Ranked 53 in Sunday Times Fast Track 100 | Sales[20] |
| 2010 | Ranked 16 in Sunday Times Fast Track 100 | Sales[21] |
| 2010 | Shopzilla Circle of Excellence Awards | Online retail[22] |
References
edit- ^ Maggie O'Sullivan (29 March 2010). "Watchshop: Good buy guide". The Telegraph.
- ^ a b David Millward (7 June 2013). "Fast Track success for family firm". Get Reading.
- ^ a b Kristy Dorsey (1 December 2014). "Monday Interview: Bryan Duffy, Aurum Holdings". The Scotsman.
- ^ Siobhan Holt (14 March 2017). "Watchshop.com teams up with Raymond Weil". Retail Jeweller.
- ^ Shereen Sagoo (8 October 2015). "Coach has just entered the watch game". GQ.
- ^ Rob Corder (14 March 2017). "Watch Shop secures month of exclusivity for Frederique Constant's latest smartwatches". WatchPro.
- ^ a b "Watch Shop LTD". Companies House.
- ^ a b Tom Pegden (8 August 2014). "Goldsmiths owner acquires online leader Watch Shop". Leicester Mercury.
- ^ "Kishore Naib - Business blog". www.kishorenaib.co.uk. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Video: Watchshop.com launches its first TV advert". Professional Jeweller. 7 June 2011.
- ^ Fiona Briggs (7 June 2011). "WatchShop to debut on TV in multi-channel campaign". Retail Times.
- ^ Shekina Tauhene (25 April 2017). "Watchshop.com launches sunglasses boutique". Jewellery Focus.
- ^ Stacey Hailes (25 April 2017). "Watchshop steps up shopping experience with summer accessories". Professional Jeweller.
- ^ "Watchshop.com to donate to Japanese aid efforts". Professional Jeweller. 31 March 2011.
- ^ Rob Corder (9 September 2016). "Guess Watches teams with WatchShop to support breast cancer charities". WatchPro.
- ^ "WatchShop.com to time new X Factor auditions". Internet Retailing. 4 March 2011.
- ^ "2018 WatchPro Awards Winner". WatchPro.
- ^ "2017 WatchPro Awards Winner". WatchPro.
- ^ "Pureplay Top 100: The best online-only retailers in the UK 2016". Internet Retailing.
- ^ "Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2011". 2011.
- ^ "Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2010". 2010.
- ^ "Online Retailers Celebrate as Shopzilla Awards Excellence". PR Newswire. 16 December 2010.