Helvetansa’s General Manager, Adrian Stoican, is optimistic about 2009, betting on a rise in turnover. “We will not post astonishing growth, because of the economic context, although we expect to attain a 10 percent rise,” Stoican told Business Standard. The company has over 14 years of experience on the internal luxury market, posting a 15 percent rise in turnover last year compared to the €6.5 million in 2007. The growth of this market allowed Helvetansa to expand its network of stores, with a new one due to open shortly on Bucharest’s main artery, Calea Victoriei, to cost €1 million.
The sale of watches makes up 80 percent of the ratio of Helvetansa’s turnover. Last year, the largest order came from a Romanian businessman for a €220,000 Turbillon Relatif watch, produced by Piaget, of which only 20 exist around the world. “Romanians have begun investing in collection watches, because their value decreases over time by no more than 10 percent. In the past few days, we received two orders for watches worth €85,000 and €80,000, respectively,” added Stoican. The Helvetansa portfolio presently contains 40 brands, with the top seller the Vacheron Constantin, a watch costing over €10,000. “Some 60 percent of our clients are men, who buy mostly watches and accessories. Women prefer jewelry.
Helvetansa opened its first store in 1994, and now has four stores, three in Bucharest and one in Pitesti.
