Watch Straps

[gosforth1]

Hi, am looking for some advise on watch straps. We are expanding our various services one of which is to replace watch straps. We already provide watch battery and spring bar replacement as well as link adjustment  but an increasing number of customer enquiries suggest we also sell a variety of watch straps.  I have looked through some known trade websites - Cousins, LBS, Condor and Birch - and appreciate there are a vast number of sizes, styles, colours and composition. It would be easy to run up costs in excess of £1,000 if not careful so I'm looking to start small and build from that if this service takes off.

My initial thought, who ever I buy from, is to initially purchase straps in the following format,

Size: 12, 18, 20 & 22

Colour: Black, Brown and Tan (?) leather

Buckle: SS and brass effect

Quantity: 2 of each variety (so by my maths this would amount to 48 straps in total [ now there's a test to see if I am correct!]).

So suggestions please, is this a good variety to start with, I just do not know? If not please advise. Should I look to stock a 'cheaper' strap  to compare with a more 'up market' one also stocked? If so, any suggestions? Should I include metal and rubber/silicone/military style - we do have queries about these but less so compared to leather straps? Do I include a ladies selection and if so what sizes/colours? Should I include origin of leather strap ie calf, lizard, croc etc?

We have advertising A frames to be displayed outside as well as window posters so we are looking to target passers by.

The other issue is the style of display unit/cabinet.  Birch sell a revolving counter top cabinet at a price though cheaper by a good margin if bought from LBS. Alternatively, Cousins sell a fold out book style, bring out from under the counter display thingy (about twice the size of War & Peace). Anyone give me any pointers?

Many thanks

[wellsy9]

Birch sell the LBS range so you may be better purchasing direct from LBS. Slightly better margins. The revolving display is a no brainer. You can purchase this fully stocked from LBS and it will include a mix of the budget and premium range in sizes ranging from 8mm - 26mm. I think when I purchased mine from LBS it was around the £7/800 mark. You will definteley make your money back on this. The sales team at LBS will be able to suggest the best sellers and sizes, and they will provide free posters etc.

[GLENGRAVING]

We have placed a couple orders direct from LBS, the straps were of good quality

Thinking of switching to Cousins for my next large order based on some previous discussion on this site praising them. 

[Mike at Vauxhall]

Never had any luck with lbs stock. 

Cousins are my main supplier, their straps have got really good, with quite a few lines by condor. You would have to get display from condor or lbs if you went with them.

It's  always worth carrying both a "basic" and "deluxe" range. My deluxe range far outsell my basic range.

Mike.

[gosforth1]

2 hours ago, wellsy9 said:

Birch sell the LBS range so you may be better purchasing direct from LBS. Slightly better margins. The revolving display is a no brainer. You can purchase this fully stocked from LBS and it will include a mix of the budget and premium range in sizes ranging from 8mm - 26mm. I think when I purchased mine from LBS it was around the £7/800 mark. You will definteley make your money back on this. The sales team at LBS will be able to suggest the best sellers and sizes, and they will provide free posters etc.

Thank you for this. LBS have been helpful for some of our tools recently and provided posters and an advertising A frame (reasonably priced). Their sample watch straps are impressive but its the outlay for a stocked stand which though far cheaper than Birch is still a big wadge of ££. 

May still go down Cousins route with the fold up display 'book' for now.

[gosforth1]

30 minutes ago, cowers lane 583 said:

Never had any luck with lbs stock. 

Cousins are my main supplier, their straps have got really good, with quite a few lines by condor. You would have to get display from condor or lbs if you went with them.

It's  always worth carrying both a "basic" and "deluxe" range. My deluxe range far outsell my basic range.

Mike.

Great, thanks.

What of metal straps, a couple of each type in similar widths? 

[Mike at Vauxhall]

Not much call for anything under 16mm. I would just start with a couple of 18 and 20 mm until you can fathom your market. Both expandable and non expandable. I don't even carry gold plated, only stainless steel. A watch bracelet often  lasts the life of the watch, straps will always far outsell bracelets. I get my bracelets exclusively from Cousinsuk. The price/quality is ( I think) best.

[gosforth1]

24 minutes ago, cowers lane 583 said:

Not much call for anything under 16mm. I would just start with a couple of 18 and 20 mm until you can fathom your market. Both expandable and non expandable. I don't even carry gold plated, only stainless steel. A watch bracelet often  lasts the life of the watch, straps will always far outsell bracelets. I get my bracelets exclusively from Cousinsuk. The price/quality is ( I think) best.

Thank you for this. 

Great advise.