The Many Hues of Luxury Shopping
Peeping out from under his white cuffs are two watches, one on each wrist. That is not what Olivier Bernheim, the Global President of Swiss luxury watchmaker Raymond Weil, usually does. But, today, in Delhi, he just wants to show off some of his company's latest gear.
Bernheim is the son in law of Raymond Weil, the company's founder, and joined the family business in 1982. But he had made his first visit to India even before that, in 1978. On a honeymoon. He has been making trips to India ever since, and along with Weil, handheld many unorganised retailers who were selling from nondescript shops while they transformed to being more organised. The retailers were flown to Geneva, introduced to other brands, and schooled in selling expensive, sophisticated watches.
Until a few years back, most Indians who could afford it, shopped for a watch in Dubai or other foreign destinations. He got a great shopping experience, variety, and possibly, a better price. Much of this has changed. Information has become fluid because of mobile phones and the explosion of social media. Brands cannot indulge in differential pricing. Even as regulations are making luxury shopping more white than grey in India, the shopping experience is improving considerably.
