Comments:
Chopard Partnership Convention 2015 in Tokyo
I was invited by Chopard to its "Partnership Convention 2015". "Partnership Convention" - this is the event where Chopard reports and presents the result of the previous year (2014) and initiatives they will take in the new year (2015), to the "stake holders" including, sales channels (ADs including the Department Stores), suppliers (?), and the media.
Mr. Scheufele on the left and Mr. Ritzman (President of Chopard, Japan)
... and Mr. Dobeli, Sales Director of Chopard Japan on the right.
Mr. Scheufele gives opening speech.
State of the company in 2014:
Mr. Ritzman, CEO and President of Chopard Japan
- Stake holders and surrounding six goals presented last year and all were achieved
I would like to report based on the presentation of how much progress they made, what they accomplished in 2014, and how they intend to grow in 2015. Impressive result and challenging goals they intend to accomplish. Some are specific to Japanese market, but most I report here is about their global presence as well as growth plan.
Mr. Scheufele on the left and Mr. Ritzman (President of Chopard, Japan)
... and Mr. Dobeli, Sales Director of Chopard Japan on the right.
Mr. Scheufele gives opening speech.
State of the company in 2014:
- Position in the industry, continue to invest.
- Revenue level, Production level, and the number of the employee (more than 2000)
- First luxury brand factory (Fleurier) which the Switzerland government officials visited (and learn how to make watches)
- Purchase of Hotel de Vendome in Paris (the building Chopard Boutique is in) - great location of the plaza crowded with many luxury brands' boutiques
- Mille Miglia 25 years of passion
- Opening of Chopard Museum (1/ 2015)
- Lots of "Corporate Responsibility" activities for the world.
- As always, one of the most popular brands at Cannes Film Festival (and one of the biggest sponsor as well)
News Flash! (Convention was held on Feb. 23)
Congrats, both, and congrats Chopard!
Mr. Ritzman, CEO and President of Chopard Japan
- Stake holders and surrounding six goals presented last year and all were achieved
- Chopard Japan revenue is growing at the pace faster than expected.
- Mr. Scheufele and Ms. Caroline Scheufele both visited Japan last year.
Mr. Dobeli talks about the detailed accomplishment of 2014 and strategy for 2015 in JAPANESE!
- Investment in marketing increased substantially and as a result...
Mr. Dobeli talks about the detailed accomplishment of 2014 and strategy for 2015 in JAPANESE!
- Investment in marketing increased substantially and as a result...
- The new products and Limited Edition all sold well.
- Various events, new locations opened and doing quite well.
- Sponsored FIA's WEC (World Endurance Championship) at Fuji Speedway.
- Introduction of the new product for 2015: "Superfast", collaboration with Porsche.
- L.U.C 35mm
- L.U.C Perpetual T in Platinum case
- Happy Sports 30mm Automatic
- etc....
Now, the Convention, Act II - Reception party where excellent retailers were awarded, as well as raffles where anyone could get something nice from Chopard (the top award was Mille Miglia watch!).
Started with Mr. Scheufele's "Kanpai!".
The top seller was awarded the trip to Geneva air ticket!
Some of the 2015 Novelties.
SUPERFAST!
Machine for WEC.
Phew! Chopard has indeed accomplished quite a lot and I am so much impressed. 2015 will be again a year with the challenging goals, but I am sure they will do well. I am looking forward to seeing more of their offering at Basel.
Now, the Convention, Act II - Reception party where excellent retailers were awarded, as well as raffles where anyone could get something nice from Chopard (the top award was Mille Miglia watch!).
Started with Mr. Scheufele's "Kanpai!".
The top seller was awarded the trip to Geneva air ticket!
Some of the 2015 Novelties.
SUPERFAST!
Machine for WEC.
Phew! Chopard has indeed accomplished quite a lot and I am so much impressed. 2015 will be again a year with the challenging goals, but I am sure they will do well. I am looking forward to seeing more of their offering at Basel.
Thanks again for inviting me:
Chopard & Cie, S.A.
Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President
Chopard Japan
Mr. Stephan Ritzman, President
Mr. Thomas Dobeli, Sales Director
and Ms. Ninomiya who were so kind to arrange my participation as well as various appointments.
Thanks!
Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2015-03-01 00:37:33 This message has been edited by MTF on 2015-03-01 02:56:51
Most luxury brands improving in Japan
Thanks Ken for the convention report.
Chopard Japan should not be surprised about sales improvement in Japan for them to describe as "above expectation".
Most luxury brands like Audemars Piguet, Cartier, JLC and Montblanc are also reporting up to 400% increase and some brands even 800%! This sounds impressive until we notice that the baseline was the almost zero sales in the aftermath of the Tohoku Tsunami.
Still, it is good that the world's 3rd largest luxury economy is recovering and feeling better.
Did Chopard Tokyo boutique move address or stayed in the same location as in 2007?
Namiki-dori (street) in Ginza: Also the location of my secret gentlemens' members' bar with only 8 seats.
No money changed hands as my Japanese secretary was sent a monthly bill.
Interior design of the bar was done by the late, great architect - Kenzo Tange, who used to drink there! 
CHOPARD Tokyo Boutique Opening 2007
Opening Report CLICK URL Link below:
Regards,
MTF
This message has been edited by MTF on 2015-03-01 02:18:59
Yes, the same place...
... but I don't know the "bar" you mention. My father was in the opposite school as Mr. Tange's as an architect, so I am not a big fan, either
Well, as for the luxury brands performance, you may be right. But steady increase YOY including 2011 is still impressive!
Ken
By the way, Melvyn, are you sure...
... about this statement?
"Most luxury brands like Audemars Piguet, Cartier, JLC and Montblanc are also reporting up to 400% increase and some brands even 800%! This sounds impressive until we notice that the baseline was the almost zero sales in the aftermath of the Tohoku Tsunami."
A little bit big number and curious.
Ken
CORRECTION about Japan
Ken,
Thank you for the question that requires clarification.
My comments were based on private discussions with other brands' personnel and commentators.
Not all luxury brands went unscathed after the 2011 Japanese disaster, following repeated global economic crises since 2008.
I re-read my comment and realised that contracting two topics into one sentence could be misleading.
My corrected and separated statements should read as:
CORRECTION:
"Most luxury brands like Audemars Piguet, Cartier, JLC and Montblanc are also reporting pleasant increases recently in Japan.
Some brands, and others, are claiming 400% increase and even 800%!
This sounds impressive until we notice that the baseline was almost zero sales for those brands in the aftermath of the Tohoku Tsunami.
Chopard is not in this group of brands with such large swings of fortune."
Regards,
MTF
Now I understand :-)
Chopard seems to have been enjoying steady growth despite those "swingy" times
Thanks.
Ken
Ken
To Blame or Not to Blame?
Ken,
It is a difficult choice for Japan sales directors and politicians and governments.
Do they blame or credit 'outside' factors for their economic situation?
If they blame the disaster for a poor baseline, does that mean that any improvement is not because of their brilliance?
It would have got better anyway.
If they don't blame the disaster for a poor baseline, does that mean that they should have done better since "nothing" was holding them back?
It is even more complicated if there was a change of directors, politicians or government before/during/after the crisis.
Who can take the blame or credit for any changes if the baseline is not agreed or fixed beforehand? It makes Appraisal and Bonus interviews or Election days very difficult. 
Regards,
MTF
This message has been edited by MTF on 2015-03-05 04:59:00
In this country....
.. no one blames anyone, anything, even the nature, and no one takes the credit. No one expects much.
It is what it is. That's how we "evolved". What is the point of blaming the nature. People are too powerless in front of the nature. Actually, we now rather blame ourselves for any misfortune, and then move on, looking forward.
If the economy gets better, that's great. If not, the rain will eventually stops. We do what we can do. And then again, it is what it is after all.
As you know well, politician changes often, government changes often, cabinet changes often. Corporate personnel shuffle all the time. But this country moves on constantly. See? It's not the matter of "who" takes blame or credit. Japanese individually use each brain and as a result, collectively move "things" - "Wa" or harmony. So, we all take blame AND credit, if you ask me I am old enough and have spent enough time overseas.
I am old enough and have spent enough time overseas. Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2015-03-05 06:15:57
We both understand Wa and karma but
Ken,
I understand and agree with your summary of Japanese Wa and karma situation.
But as expatriate workers in Japan, we have bosses at HQ who require succinct summary of Situation, Target, Action and then Results. We always need to identify cause, remedy, and achievement.
Actually, same principles affect people in any country. What happened? Why? How could you have improved? When did you implement change? What happened again?
I am not saying anyone can do anything about Nature but the areas we can affect are our performances at human level in companies or government, in spite of, or despite, external events.
Regards,
MTF
Sure we do, too.
Yeah, but I wouldn't do that so "systematically". Just "individually use each brain". I understand the principles and I agree. But just that those are done voluntarily and usually silently on my own. Think, respond and act individually, but collectively it may happen to look "harmonious". At the end of the day, regardless of how you do it (self assessment - systematically or individually/ silently), the result and performance may or may not be improved - again, it is what it is. Life goes on, and we move on.
Hahaha. Life is too short for me to think about these things
Ken
Wonderful report Ken, thank you!
How amazing is that calendar tourbillon...mama mia! I love it.
I know one day I will add a Chopard to my collection.
The 2015 Chopard novelties may sway your "one day"...
Michael,
The Chopard novelties for 2015 have rocketed to the top of my 'wish list' in both LUC and Mille Miglia ranges; like they NEVER have before! These are THE novelties we've been dreaming of for years.....
The Swiss National Bank uncapping of foreign exchange variance from the Euro caused chaos but most other currencies seemed to have stabilised and recovered their relative rates to CHF. So, if you are not in the Euro zone, the prices may not be 20 - 30% higher, as rumoured.
Now, all I have to do is win the Fat Lottery and my collecting wishes will come true....
Regards,
MTF
This message has been edited by MTF on 2015-03-02 01:59:45
I sure hope so!
I really want to join the "official" Chopard owners group Lots of tempting offerings, definitely a brand with great momentum.
Lots of tempting offerings, definitely a brand with great momentum.
Ken, wow, what a great opportunity.
Thanks so much for attending and covering the event. (And thanks to Chopard for inviting you.) This looks to have been an interesting opportunity to see the business side of Chopard. I am always curious to see the business culture behind the products and compare it to the culture and climate within the organizations in which I have been involved.
Your detailed report is very much appreciated!
Best,
CaliforniaJed
This message has been edited by CaliforniaJed on 2015-03-05 08:56:27
Your detailed report is very much appreciated!
Best,
CaliforniaJed
This message has been edited by CaliforniaJed on 2015-03-05 08:56:27