Retailers are burning through cash as lock down continues, and some may have to take drastic measures to survive.
OPINION
Watch brands are robbing their authorised dealers of precious sales during lock down. This must not go unchallenged.
Even as the world is enduring global economic shutdown, luxury watch brands continue to plan the next phase of their sales strategies – which, for many companies, will rely heavily upon internet sales.
Retail guru Mary Portas says the quantity of stores will go down but quality is more likely to go up following the current emergency.
One of the great strengths of Baselworld in its pomp was the opportunity for small and medium-sized brands to be seen alongside the giants.
I am convinced that when this crisis abates, webcast launches will wither. You simply cannot replicate the excitement that a physical crowd generates or the intimacy that touching a brand new watch for the first time evokes.
No dates have yet been announced for Watches & Wonders Geneva in 2021, but research into the availability of hotel rooms suggests a start on April 15.
"Swiss solidarity" is a concept that we will see over and over again in the months to come as the luxury houses start to feel like it is them against the world, suggests aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams.
Watch retailers and reporters from around the world welcome brands rallying to a single show in Geneva, but pine for the glory days of Baselworld
If the show does not offer full refunds on deposits for this year's exhibition, it will not survive into 2021.