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Watch Shop

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

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]

History

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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[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

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In 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

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In 2011, the company supplied The X Factor TalkBack Thames production team with Casio watches.[16]

Awards

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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

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  1. ^ Maggie O'Sullivan (29 March 2010). "Watchshop: Good buy guide". The Telegraph.
  2. ^ a b David Millward (7 June 2013). "Fast Track success for family firm". Get Reading.
  3. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Watch Shop LTD". Companies House.
  8. ^ a b Tom Pegden (8 August 2014). "Goldsmiths owner acquires online leader Watch Shop". Leicester Mercury.
  9. ^ "Kishore Naib - Business blog". www.kishorenaib.co.uk. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Video: Watchshop.com launches its first TV advert". Professional Jeweller. 7 June 2011.
  11. ^ Fiona Briggs (7 June 2011). "WatchShop to debut on TV in multi-channel campaign". Retail Times.
  12. ^ Shekina Tauhene (25 April 2017). "Watchshop.com launches sunglasses boutique". Jewellery Focus.
  13. ^ Stacey Hailes (25 April 2017). "Watchshop steps up shopping experience with summer accessories". Professional Jeweller.
  14. ^ "Watchshop.com to donate to Japanese aid efforts". Professional Jeweller. 31 March 2011.
  15. ^ Rob Corder (9 September 2016). "Guess Watches teams with WatchShop to support breast cancer charities". WatchPro.
  16. ^ "WatchShop.com to time new X Factor auditions". Internet Retailing. 4 March 2011.
  17. ^ "2018 WatchPro Awards Winner". WatchPro.
  18. ^ "2017 WatchPro Awards Winner". WatchPro.
  19. ^ "Pureplay Top 100: The best online-only retailers in the UK 2016". Internet Retailing.
  20. ^ "Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2011". 2011.
  21. ^ "Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2010". 2010.
  22. ^ "Online Retailers Celebrate as Shopzilla Awards Excellence". PR Newswire. 16 December 2010.