Semi-OT: Audemars taking sales in-house

[1William]

I think that what AP wants and what the reality is are two different things. The boutique model works for small brands with little to no market share. Unless you are only going to sell in major metropolitan areas how do you reach the customer in other areas? What about service and after sale service. I believe that once the thought is worked through you will see some type of on-line presence, a boutique model and strong AD's. That is what makes the most sense.

[Ku5165]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

If you think AP boutiques dont play the same allocation games as AD's you are kidding yourself.

Also its 40,000 watches per year for AP verses close to 1 million for Rolex so its not as feasible logistically to go boutique only when they currently only have one, at that is in geneva. A niche brand which AP is can do this, Rolex is so mass market and part of their appeal is that its recognizable and almost every normal sized city has an AD.

I have found that i have been seeing way less AP watches around generally so they are harder to find with less points of sale. Its either going to help the brand remain profitable, or make them irrelevant as when its out of sight its out of mind. No idea which way its going to go though and no idea if people will actually buy watches without trying them on first from an e commerce platform.

+1 I know Los Angeles and Las Vegas won't sell Jumbos without prior purchases. You can't even get on the list.

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[N&M]

Originally Posted by 1William

I think that what AP wants and what the reality is are two different things. The boutique model works for small brands with little to no market share. Unless you are only going to sell in major metropolitan areas how do you reach the customer in other areas? What about service and after sale service. I believe that once the thought is worked through you will see some type of on-line presence, a boutique model and strong AD's. That is what makes the most sense.

They will ask their strong ADs to open AP boutique/corner.
Why not?

[SMD]

Originally Posted by N&M

They will ask their strong ADs to open AP boutique/corner.
Why not?

That is what they are already doing with Westime.

[BDGator]

No real difference between AD and boutique run by a franchisee

[N&M]

Originally Posted by SMD

That is what they are already doing with Westime.

As for me that's much better then waiting for real boutique, operated by AP, will open

[N&M]

Originally Posted by BDGator

No real difference between AD and boutique run by a franchisee

The difference in emotions