Seiko dive watch

Seiko sees sales recover in late April after reopening distribution

UK distribution centre reopened in mid-April and the team was “pleasantly surprised” at the strong response from retail partners.

It appears that retailers are ready to get back to work and want to stock hot new watches launched this year, if the experience of Seiko is replicated across other brands.

Seiko and Grand Seiko reopened its distribution facility in Maidenhead in the middle of April, and the company’s UK managing director David Edwards says business has been stronger than he anticipated.

“We reopened two weeks into April and have been pleasantly surprised by how we ended the month,” he tells WatchPro.

“Our retail partners are realising this situation will not go on for ever and are placing orders so they are ready to reopen with fresh collections,” he adds.

According to Sunday’s speech by prime minister Boris Johnson, non-essential retailers like jewellers will be allowed to start reopening at the beginning of June, just three weeks from now.

Seiko’s Maidenhead facility is observing all recommended social distancing measures, but is able to safely pick and dispatch orders.

Its service centre is expected to open this week.

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