Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
London, United Kingdom
Last Updated: August 2024
SIC G46.480Revenue
£3.0bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
£XXX.Xm
Employees
6,351
Businesses
1,219
Wages
£XXX.Xm
Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry analysis
Consumer confidence, disposable incomes, exchange rates and world prices of precious metals all heavily influence the performance of watch and jewellery wholesalers. Purchases of watches and jewellery are considered discretionary, with many customers opting to reign in the spending during tough economic climates. However, the luxury end of the market is remarkably robust to market cycles. Purchase costs for wholesalers can shoot up in periods of economic uncertainty as demand for precious metals rises as they're considered safe investments. The COVID-19 outbreak sparked a drop in demand for wholesalers as many downstream retail outlets had to shut up shop in line with government restrictions. The ban on international (and internal travel, albeit to a lesser extent) dented sales to tourists heavily.
Trends and Insights
- Gold prices skyrocket amid global conflict. The escalating Ukraine-Russia conflict has seen investors flock to the safety of gold, causing prices to surge to record highs and significantly affecting the cost of producing luxury items.
- Gold prices dip due to easing inflation fears. As worldwide inflationary pressures lessen, UK consumers rejoice in a fall in gold prices, encouraging a resurgence in sales, particularly of minimalist 24-carat and 18-carat pieces.
- London has luxury appeal. London's affluent population and abundant high-end stores present a lucrative platform for wholesalers dealing in premium products.
- High unit prices drive luxury watch market shares. Rolex and Rhone Products (Patek Phillipe) dominate the market thanks to the hefty prices of their premium timepieces.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £3.0bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Severe inflationary pressures constrain sales to retail outlets
- According to the ONS, consumer price inflation reached 11.1% in October 2022, a 40-odd-year high, forcing individuals to tighten their purse strings. Discretionary spending dropped as a result, forcing retail outlets to lower their orders of watches and jewellery from wholesalers.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Wholesale bypass will pose a growing threat
- As rising operating costs pinch retailers' profit, more are looking to bypass wholesalers entirely and deal directly with manufacturers to lower their purchase costs.
Biggest companies in the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
The Rolex Watch Company Ltd | 712.0 | |
Rhone Products (UK) Limited | 235.3 | |
The Swatch Group (UK) Ltd | 188.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK
Products & Services
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Watches and clocks, Imitation jewellery and Fine gold jewellery. Watches and clocks is the largest segment of the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Gold prices hit record high in August 2024
- Gold jewellery can be segmented in terms of carats, with 24-carat gold containing 99.9% gold. Nine-carat gold pieces are the most popular, followed by 18-carat gold, which is 75% gold.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Jewellery Manufacturing in the UK
- Department Stores in the UK
- Clothing Retailing in the UK
- Jewellery & Watch Stores in the UK
International industries
- Jewelry & Watch Wholesaling in the US
- Jewellery & Watch Wholesaling in Canada
- Jewellery and Watch Wholesaling in Australia
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in the industry wholesale watches, clocks, fine jewellery and imitation jewellery. These may be manufactured from a variety of raw materials such as gold, silver, platinum, plastic, glass or wood.
What's included in this industry?
Watches and clocksImitation jewelleryFine platinum jewelleryFine gold jewelleryFine silver jewelleryCompanies
The Rolex Watch Company LtdRhone Products (UK) LimitedThe Swatch Group (UK) LtdPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
PALLADIUMCARATHALLMARKIndustry Code
SIC 46.48 - Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Gold prices skyrocket amid global conflict. The escalating Ukraine-Russia conflict has seen investors flock to the safety of gold, causing prices to surge to record highs and...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Gold prices dip due to easing inflation fears. As worldwide inflationary pressures lessen, UK consumers rejoice in a fall in gold prices, encouraging a resurgence in sales, p...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London has luxury appeal. London's affluent population and abundant high-end stores present a lucrative platform for wholesalers dealing in premium products.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
High unit prices drive luxury watch market shares. Rolex and Rhone Products (Patek Phillipe) dominate the market thanks to the hefty prices of their premium timepieces.
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
The Jewellery and Watch Wholesaling industry has a large number of small operators. The largest players tend to be foreign-based producers that distribute their own products ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of The Rolex Watch Company Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Rhone Products (UK) Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of The Swatch Group (UK) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for The Rolex Watch Company Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Rhone Products (UK) Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for The Swatch Group (UK) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
There's a tireless fight against conflict diamonds. The Kimberly Process — approved by 123 countries — ensures that diamonds derived from conflict zones are neither cut nor p...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Commodity price fluctuations impact profit. The volatility in precious metals prices, driven by world events like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, significantly affects wholesale...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2018-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2018-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2018-2022)
- Assets (2018-2022)
- Liabilities (2018-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom in 2024?
The market size of the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom is £3.0bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry in 2024?
There are 1,219 businesses in the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 1.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK market in United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling market in United Kingdom are The Rolex Watch Company Ltd, Rhone Products (UK) Limited and The Swatch Group (UK) Ltd
What does the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK in United Kingdom include?
Watches and clocks and Imitation jewellery are part of the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK in United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in United Kingdom is The Rolex Watch Company Ltd.
How competitive is the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Watch & Jewellery Wholesaling in the UK industry in United Kingdom.
