IWE 2010 Announcement

Continental canvas, Mega mileage

IWE 2010 in November

After successfully organising three Swiss Watch Exhibitions and the three IWEs, Asia’s leading horological industry professional journal, Watch Market Review once again offers an enticing opportunity to the global horological industry players to participate and build bridges with the Indian consumers and trade. Watch Market Review takes great pleasure in announcing the 2010 edition of the INTERNATIONAL WATCH EXHIBITION (IWE). The fourth edition of this premier event, will be held in the financial and commercial capital of India, the city of Mumbai between November 19 and 21, 2010. It will be conceptualised on a grand scale in the financial and fashion capital of the country. The exhibition will be held at the prestigious World Trade Centre, located in the elite area of South Mumbai.

Indians love International Watch Exhibitions

The International Watch Exhibition 2010 has to be seen in the context of the success achieved by the previous three editions of Swiss Watch Exhibitions and the International Watch Exhibition organised by Watch Market Review held in the 1990s and the early 2000s. The previous editions witnessed mile-long queues of visitors at a time when the import of watches was restricted and awareness of international brands was very low. Several Swiss, American and Asian brands participated in these exhibitions and slowly built their brand equity in the minds of Indian consumers. Today, the Indian consumer has evolved and learnt to appreciate the legacy of these illustrious brands. As the consumer evolved, the market expanded and the brands have increased their market shares.

IWE 2010 expands horizons

However, today, the globally-aligned Indian consumer wants much more. Many of them travel across the European Union and the Americas. They have been exposed to globally renowned brands not just in Switzerland but also in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and even Russia and Eastern Europe. Indians have started appreciating the finer nuances of these brands that have endeared themselves to discerning customers across the globe. Therefore, India is a great potential market for these quality brands seeking to expand their global horizons in these times of economic slowdown. IWE 2010 has sought to widen its horizons by presenting these new brands a wonderful opportunity to connect to discerning Indian buyers and trade.

Exhibitions help market making

The ‘tried and tested’ exhibition route enables face-to-face interactions between the trade constituents, the consumers, the media and the regulatory authorities. Increasingly, trade fairs and exhibitions are becoming events where the consumer is exposed to an extensive array of products under a single roof. Besides, being pampered for choice and/or getting a good deal, the consumer "whether a trader or end-consumer" is provided an opportunity to interact with the manufacturer/brand distributors and gain additional insights into other services provided by the company. This kind of an event is equally important for participants as it provides the opportunity to interact with a captive consumer segment and translate this into business development, sales and a healthy bottom line.

Present the progression of market

The participation of renowned Indian and Indian arms of multinational watch companies will showcase the progress made by the horological industry in India. It will not only facilitate the exchange of ideas and knowledge; but also result in expansion of trading opportunities. It is time for the trade constituents to join hands and educate the Indian consumer about the risks involved in associating with spurious products and cheap imports. Clearly, the onus is on the horological trade to make the right moves involving the ‘4P-mantra’ of marketing (product, price, place, promotion). In fact the need of the hour is a 360-degree multimedia spin that several marketers are indulging in – across multiple platforms such as mass media, direct selling, public relations, ground events, Internet, mobile phone technology amongst others.

Study psyche of Indian consumer

There is a need to realign the Indian consumer mindset – from “ability to buy” to “willingness to buy”. The International Watch Exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to observe and analyse the psyche and mindset of the Indian consumer. There is a need to realign the consumer mindset towards the adoption of products that are available in a complete feel-good complete package – assured quality, guaranty or warranty, value additions, after-sales and most importantly long lasting relationships. It is time to identify all the possible opportunities that enable the watch marketers to reach out to Indian consumers – be it through the retail malls or through exclusive outlets or through corporate gifting opportunities. Yes, a concerted effort has to be made to cash into huge opportunity that exists in corporate gifting.

As companies grapple with economic slowdown across markets, the Indian market is still showing a lot of resilience and promise. India is home to an estimated 100,000 dollar millionaires and 54 dollar billionaires; 400 million people in India use mobile phones; up to 80 million use the internet. The cumulative liquid wealth of affluent Indians is projected to be around $322 billion by 2009. There are over 1.1 million individuals, each with liquid wealth of $100,000 or more. This is expected to drive consumption of high-end luxury brands, ranging from wines and cars to watches and electronics.

In the next few years, the 50 million units per annum Indian watch market expects to see a dramatic shift from the unorganised sector to branded products. It is estimated that the progressive taxes/ duties/ levies cuts announced by the Indian Government in the new millennium have boosted all the watch market segments and stimulated the introduction of several international brands. All the leading luxury and lifestyle horological players such as the Swatch, LVMH and Richemont Group are present in India. And all the international brands, which are seeking to chart a global course, need to firm up their plans to launch in India.

India is a complex market with 50 cities having 1 million plus population and Top 100 cities accounting for 60% of the total market. And the best way to enter this vast market is to connect to the trade and consumers through an exhibition of international standards.

IWE 2010: Salient features of an Ideal Opportunity for exhibition participants
-  One-of-its-kind watch and clock exhibition in India
-  Sponsored invitations to be extended to over top 100 retailers, distributors and importers all over India
-  Conceptualised on the lines of other international exhibitions
-  Eagerly awaited event in the entire country
-  India’s financial and fashion capital, Mumbai (Bombay) is the ideal venue
-  Held in the august premises of the World Trade Centre in Mumbai
-  Impeccable and world-class ambience 
-  26 boutique stalls for showcasing lifestyle brands
-  Country or Group pavilions possible
-  Best platform for new entrants and existing brands to present brands to the trade and consumers
-  Great forum to introduce the latest products and create brand image
-  Ideal convergence venue for foreign principals to meet leading retailers, distributors and trade constituents from  different parts of India
- Business profiling and matchmaking sessions
-  High profile inauguration event launch by a prominent personality
- Press conference and access to Indian media
- Cocktail preview event for celebrities, socialites and fashionistas
- Participants can avail of 5-star hotel facilities close to the exhibition venue
- Modern technological facilities including Wi-fi
- State-of-the-art security systems
- Access to allied services pertaining to import of goods and displays
- Customised and personalized professional services available


Convenient, hassle-free and everything taken care of

Your time to be a part of IWE 2010 begins now! Send in your confirmations by duly filling in the registration form at the earliest as reservations will be on a first come first served basis.




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