Ralph Lauren watches to expand into Asia

First published: 25-01-2010

Swiss watchmaking venture Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry has revealed that it plans to double its network of shops in the coming financial year, expanding in Asia in particular, a new report has detailed.

Polo Ralph Lauren Corp and Switzerland's Cie have announced a deal which will see Richemont sell the pair's products in 40 to 50 stores by March 2011, according to Bloomberg, a dramatic mark-up from the 20 registered in March this year, according to Camille Floquet, a spokeswoman for the chain.

The partnership between the two firms began in earnest last year, fighting for sales during a time which saw Swiss watch exports dropping by 24 per cent in the first 11 months of 2009, signalling the biggest decline over the space of a year in over two decades.

Entry-level watches will be added by Ralph Lauren Watch & Co to complement the rest of its current available products, bringing in a lowest bracket of $7,300 (£4,517) for a timepiece range which is already marked at between $9,000 and $25,000 (£5,569 and £15,470), Bloomberg added.

Polo Ralph Lauren first took off in the early 1970s, with the first famous line of polo shirts with the horse-riding man becoming an instant smash hit.