“Watch exports to Greece, Portugal and Spain all increased in May as part of a global rise of 40.1%, when adjusted for inflation, to 1.64 billion Swiss francs. In nominal terms, which are not adjusted for inflation, the increase was 31.6%, according to figures released Thursday by the Swiss customs office.” The ‘transportability’ and strong resale value of Swiss watches — particularly gold watches — have increased their appeal to European investors increasingly unnerved by the region’s struggling economy. The Wall Street Journal Jun. 24, 2011
QVC Germany to Gain Carriage in Northwestern City of Bremen
Distribution Channel, DRTV Retailer, Geography, UK/Europe
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Jul 142010
QVC Germany will begin broadcasting on July 15th over a free-to-air channel that is being vacated by Eurosport, the European sports satellite and cable network owned and operated by the TF1 Group. Broadband TV News Jul. 13, 2010
QVC Investing $126 Million in QVC Italia; Broadcasting to Start October 1
Distribution Channel, DRTV Retailer, Geography, UK/Europe
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Jul 122010
QVC Italia’s chief executive officer, Steve Hofmann, has told Bloomberg News that the newest QVC international shopping network will hire approximately 500 workers, broadcast from studios near Milan (initially for 17 hours a day) and reach some 17 million households, beginning October 1st. He also clearly sees his competition as bricks-and-mortar stores, as well as Mediaset SpA’s Mediashopping network, saying “Between the small, independent retailers and the top, luxury chains we see space for us in the middle.” Hofmann further revealed that QVC Inc. plans to begin recouping its investment by breaking even at the operating level in its third year and he suggested that future QVC offshoots could spring up in China, France and Canada in coming years. Bloomberg Jul 12, 2010
A Pretty Hip Crowd Hawks their Music on QVC UK
Celebs & Stars, Distribution Channel, DRTV Retailer, Geography, Talent, UK/Europe
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Jul 102010
Remember when Huey Lewis sang, “It’s hip to be square?” Well, that song’s title occurred to me upon learning that Sheryl Crow, Susan Boyle, Whitney Houston and Justin Bieber are all appearing on QVC UK in support of new albums. It’s an eclectic but celebrated group of performers — I don’t even know who Justin Bieber is — but they are all acknowledging the power of DRTV to find (or rekindle) a connection with an audience. And to sell, of course. The Daily Mirror (UK) Jul. 10, 2010
Illustrator Daisy de Villeneuve Creates “Make-Up” Portraits of QVC UK Beauty Poll Winners
Distribution Channel, DRTV Retailer, Geography, UK/Europe
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Jul 062010
Illustrator Daisy de Villeneuve has created portraits of four of the most beautiful women of the 20th century, as chosen by a recent QVC UK poll, using women’s cosmetics, instead of paint or other traditional artist’s medium. No word yet on whether reproductions of the artworks will be available for sale on the network. Source link, however, contains very practical advice on how to outline a composition with eyeliner. Vogue (UK) Jul. 6, 2010
QVC UK Named “Best Shopping Channel” at UK’s Freesat Awards
Distribution Channel, DRTV Retailer, Geography, UK/Europe
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Jul 022010
At panel of expert judges made up of senior broadcasting executives found QVC UK’s programming superior to that of Create & Craft, Ideal World and Pitch TV at the UK’s Freesat Awards. Here is their encomium to the network, “The shopping genre is very important for satellite TV and for Freesat. QVC really stands out, it is positive and very professionally produced. The channel has a very UK-centric focus and has successfully created a whole lifestyle around its programming.” The Freesat Awards, which were recently bestowed at London’s Delfina Galleries, recognize channels and services available on the free-to-air, digital satellite TV service.
DIYWeek.net Jul. 2, 2010
Consumer Confidence Plummets in June
Geography, Research, Trends, Forecasts, UK/Europe, USA
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Jun 302010
The NYC-based Conference Board research group reported that its U.S. Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 52.9 in June from 62.7 in May, reversing three months of gains. It was the lowest level since March, when the index stood at 52.3. Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board Consumer Research Center, explained the drop in this statement. “Increasing uncertainty and apprehension about the future state of the economy and labor market, no doubt a result of the recent slowdown in job growth, are the primary reasons for the sharp reversal in confidence.” Bloomberg Businessweek reports that people are feeling even worse in Great Britain, where consumer confidence has reached a six-month low. CNNMoney.com Conference Board Press Release Jun. 29, 2010
German Shopping Channels QVC and Channel 21 Acquire Terrestrial Capacity
Carriage (Cable & Satellite TV), Distribution Channel, DRTV Retailer, Geography, UK/Europe
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Jun 222010
The two channels will be available to approximately 2.3 to 3 million viewers in the area surrounding the cities of Frankfurt am Main and Wiesbaden in the German stat of Hesse. Broadband TV News (UK) Jun. 22, 2010
UK’s Ideal Shopping Direct Expects “Substantial Profit” in First Half
Distribution Channel, DRTV Retailer, Geography, UK/Europe
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Jun 152010
“Ideal Shopping said 2010 continues to be encouraging with total sales, including the recently acquired Lead The Good Life (LTGL), up 17.9% over the same period of 2009. Excluding LTGL sales, Group sales have increased by 10.5% over the same period in 2009.” The company says that it may be able to reintroduce a dividend policy later this year. ShareCast (UK) Jun. 15, 2010
