Manchester: The Watches of Switzerland Group has inaugurated its flagship luxury jewellery showroom in Manchester, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of its jewellery division. Housed within a newly reimagined Mappin & Webb boutique, the opening represents the brand’s largest showroom to date and its first concept dedicated exclusively to jewellery.
Located in St Ann’s Square, the 700-square-metre store occupies a prominent Grade II-listed building in one of Manchester’s most historic retail districts. The landmark location underscores the group’s strategy of aligning heritage architecture with a modern luxury retail experience. The showroom brings together a curated portfolio of globally recognised jewellery houses under one roof. Notably, De Beers has opened its first boutique outside London within the space, while American designer David Yurman is offering exclusive collections unavailable elsewhere in the UK. Italian house Roberto Coin is also featured through a dedicated area showcasing its handcrafted designs. The launch follows strong financial performance in the jewellery category, with the group reporting a 17% increase in luxury jewellery sales during the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The company’s strategic emphasis on jewellery reflects favourable market dynamics, including fewer supply constraints compared to luxury watches and growing consumer demand for both natural and lab-grown diamonds. To capitalise on this momentum, the group has expanded its offering through its sister brand Goldsmiths, introducing lab-grown diamonds across the UK. This move targets evolving consumer preferences for larger stones and more accessible, sustainability-aligned options. Group Chief Executive Officer Brian Duffy described the opening as a key step in strengthening the company’s position within the jewellery segment. He noted that the investment signals long-term confidence in the category, particularly as the UK retail environment shows signs of recovery. UK President Craig Bolton emphasised the strategic importance of St Ann’s Square, citing its longstanding association with jewellery retail in Manchester. He added that the new showroom blends the heritage of Mappin & Webb with a contemporary retail format designed to enhance the customer experience. Founded in 1924 as a London-based mail-order business specialising in Swiss watches, the Watches of Switzerland Group has evolved into a global luxury retailer. Its growth has been driven in part by the acquisition of established British jewellers such as Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb, as well as international expansion into the United States with brands including Mayors, Betteridge and Hodinkee. While traditionally associated with high-end timepieces, the group has increasingly positioned jewellery as a core growth pillar. This strategy is further reinforced by Mappin & Webb’s heritage and royal associations, including its long-held Royal Warrants and the role of its master craftsman as the official Crown Jeweller. Through this flagship Manchester opening, the Watches of Switzerland Group is consolidating its presence in the luxury jewellery market, targeting affluent consumers who value craftsmanship, provenance and design excellence across both jewellery and timepieces.
