Jeweller - September 2018

EDITORIAL
SLOW DECLINE OF BASELWORLD: WHAT A SHAME!
It’s a real shame to see the decline of
Baselworld. Its status as the world’s number
one watch and jewellery fair has been in
decline for many years, but the news that
Swatch Group had quit the show sent
shockwaves throughout the industry, most
notably in Switzerland.
Swatch’s announcement to NZZ am Sonntag,
the Swiss, German-language newspaper on
Saturday 28 July, probably caught Baselworld
owners, MCH Group, by surprise too.
Indeed, MCH’s share price fell when the Swiss
Stock Exchange opened on the Monday
morning. This is testament to how important
Swatch’s presence is at the event.
Things only got worse; in a telephone
interview on CBNC, Swatch chief executive
officer Nick Hayek was very critical of
Baselworld management and stated there
was resistance to change needed to revitalise
the show, while ignoring exhibitor complaints.
Apart from this latest commotion, another
reason why the organisers would have been
caught off guard was because Swatch is
reported to have given a commitment to
the 2019 event following this year’s show
in March. The 2018 Baselworld had mixed
results; with some reports stating the event
was in turmoil.
Our own fair wrap-up in June reported René
Kamm, CEO of MCH Group as saying, “Today,
nothing is certain. We will try to keep this
industry event in Basel, but I cannot provide
guarantees.” In effect he was saying that
Baselworld would go ahead next year – but
nobody knows what will happen in 2020.
It’s inarguable that the Baselworld has been
under pressure for some time; the 2018
exhibitor numbers were more than 600
fewer than in 2017, and in May managing
director Sylvie Ritter resigned after 15
years in the position. The director of sales
Martin Fergusson and the marketing and
communications director Loraine Stantzos
both departed at the same time.
These issues, as well as many others, speak
volumes for the predicament of the show
and its management, which has been
regularly described as arrogant.
MCH had to respond to Swatch’s decision
and Hayek’s comments, which it did on
30 July. Kamm issued a statement saying:
“We extraordinarily regret Swatch Group’s
decision. The cancellation is all the more
surprising for us because this news reaches
us at a point in time when new management
has arrived with a new team, new esprit and
many new ideas.”
Michel Loris-Melikoff, who replaced Ritter on
1 July added: “We want to conduct the fair
in 2019 as attractively as possible, in a new
style and with a new way of thinking. With
this in mind, I hope that a successful edition
of Baselworld in 2019 will motivate Swatch
Group to again participate in the show in the
future. I personally would be very pleased to
I HAVE LIKENED
BASELWORLD
TO A RELIGIOUS
CALLING AND
ATTENDING
IN ITS HEYDAY
WAS LIKE A
PILGRIMAGE;
IT WAS TRULY
A SIGHT TO
BEHOLD.
hold constructive talks with Swatch Group.”
A number of changes have been flagged,
including a retailer summit that will take place
in Hall 1.2, a first for Baselworld; an exhibition
about the art of watchmaking and expanding
and bringing the onsite catering into the
middle of the show floor, instead of having it
on the periphery and outside the halls.
Also, attempts are underway to negotiate
with hotels and restaurants in the Basel area
to curb price gouging; it’s well known that
local bars and restaurants print special menus,
listing highly inflated prices during the fair.
One can only wonder whether it’s all too
late. None of these complaints are new, but
despite an extensive list of legitimate gripes,
MCH has resisted change for many years.
I began this editorial by expressing sorrow
at the decline of Baselworld because I have
previously written that if you have never
attended Basel, you should do so at least
once in your life.
I have likened Baselworld to a religious
calling and attending in its heyday was like a
pilgrimage; it was truly a sight to behold.
More importantly, it reminded you why this
industry is so awe-inspiring. Unfortunately, if
things don’t change, it now seems destined to
become a lost relic of the past.
Coleby Nicholson
Managing Editor
September 2018 Jeweller 7