Rendez-Vous

ROBERT HIRSCH

PRESIDENT & CEO, HIRSCH

What kind of growth do you expect during these challenging times?
We expect moderate growth for this year. We believe that in times of economic turbulences, the proposition of service becomes even more important because consumer expectations and demands rise. It is important to maintain good customer relationship. Hirsch offers one of the best loyalty programmes through the watch bracelet. The consumer, who buys a watch bracelet, will keep coming back to the store. This will ensure more visits and more opportunities to sell-buy.

Tell us about your key markets?
The key global markets are Europe, Asia and America. In Europe, we have the strongest distribution. We have our logistics centre in Austria from where we deliver the whole range including one piece bracelets to jewellers in Italy or to Scotland. The emerging markets including Asian and South American markets.

How did you fare in India?
In 2008, Hirsch posted a good performance in India but we experienced downturn in the first 3 months. We want to maintain the same level as in 2008. We have been present in India since a long time but times are getting more challenging. There is a trend of lower price point and lesser-reluctant frequency of purchasing from the consumer point of view. We don’t see this trend in Europe but this is also seen in the US. Traditional shops in Europe are service-oriented. In other countries, hard selling of new final products is quite prominent. High duties (27%) are cutting into the margins. But we wish to offer international products to the Indian trade. The biggest message is that the watch bracelet is the dress of the watch. It helps give a new look.

Tell us about the important product launches this year?
The most important product is our wellness product. This is a bracelet with aloe vera coating on the lining side. It is known for its skin soothing features. We could patent the process of applying aloe vera to the lining material. This improves the wearing component of the watch and also induces comfort. We have also introduced the 100-m water-resistant alligator. Genuine alligator skins have been treated with Hirsch developed recipe. This is a first-of-its-kind in the watch industry.

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