The Swatch Group is credited with saving the Swiss watch industry in the 1980s. But right now the company is under pressure, hit by a spending slowdown in China. US President Donald Trump’s trade war has only piled on to its problems.
In August, Trump imposed a 39% tariff on imports from Switzerland, steeper than the 31% he had previously threatened. The surcharge, though like most others by Trump subject to ongoing litigation, is the biggest among developed countries and compares with just 15% in the neighboring European Union.
With falling sales, Swatch’s leadership has been criticized by some shareholders. Steven Wood, an activist investor, even attempted to win a seat on the company’s board. His intervention, rare in the luxury and watch sectors, may underline the frustration exhibited by other shareholders. So can Swatch turn its fortunes around?
00:00 Introduction
01:31 Switzerland & Swatch
03:00 Quartz crisis
05:00 External headwinds
07:23 Leadership & investors
08:49 MoonSwatch
09:24 Storytelling
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