Watches of Switzerland delivered a sales uplift during its full-year trading update, as it highlighted “significant performance improvement” in its second half.

Full year group sales rose 8% year-on-year to £1.7bn for the 52 weeks to 27 April, in line with market expectations. UK and Europe revenue nudged up 2% during the period.

The chain noted that demand for its key luxury brands remained strong, outstripping supply across its UK and US markets.

It also highlighted an improved second half performance, with group sales up 12% compared to growth of 4% during H1.

Watches of Switzerland said its full year adjusted EBIT was expected to be in line with market expectations. The group is set to report its FY25 results on 3 July.

As it entered FY26, the retailer said it was focused on the delivery of its strategy and encouraged by its “strong pipeline of high-quality projects” opening in FY26 across the UK and US.

Watches of Switzerland CEO Brian Duffy said: “As we look ahead, we remain confident in the strength of our business model, our strong pipeline of showroom openings and the resilience of the luxury watch category where demand for key brands continues to outstrip supply.

“We are of course mindful of the broader macroeconomic and consumer environment, including potential US tariff changes.”

It comes after the retailer announced that it was closing 16 of its showrooms across the UK in April, putting around 40 jobs at risk of redundancy.

The luxury watch specialist told BBC News that affected staff would be redeployed where possible and that its “priority [was] to support all affected colleagues”.

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