Biel/Bienne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Swatch reported in an upbeat mood Wednesday morning 20 January that 2009 turned out to be its third-best year on record and that unexpectedly strong sales in December made it the company’s best-ever December. Orders on the books for 2010 plus expected growth in middle class consumer spending in developing markets lead the company to predict continuing sales growth this year.

Gross sales for 2009 were CHF5.42 million, down only 6.3 percent at constant exchange rates. Sales in the second half of the year exceeded, although just barely, 2008 sales for the same period, making up for a weak first half of the year.

Currency fluctuations made a significant difference from one market to another but overall they had a negative impact of 1.8 percent on sales. The euro, the British pound and the Russian ruble had negative impacts on sales compared to previous year rates, the US dollar had practically no impact, while the Chinese yuan and the Japanese yen influenced sales positively.

“A positive impact on sales is also expected from Omega’s mission as official timekeeper at the Winter Olympics 2010 in Vancouver, starting 12 February 2010. Omega has been appointed the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games until 2020. Furthermore the opening of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel mid-2010 during the World Exhibition in the fantastic place of Shanghai will represent another milestone for the Group,” the company notes in its press release on 2009 results.

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