Swatch apologises to Chinese customers
According to several media reports, Swatch has withdrawn an advertising campaign featuring an Asian model and issued a public apology on Weibo, the most popular social media platform in China.
In the advertisement for the “Swatch Essentials” collection, the young man slits his eyes with his fingers, which has led to massive accusations of racism in China.
Last Saturday, Swatch published an apology in Chinese and English on the brand's Weibo account:
"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or misunderstanding this may have caused." As a result, all campaign materials have been removed worldwide.
The Swatch Group has not yet responded to the Reuters news agency's request for further comment.
China is an important market for the Swatch Group and its numerous watch brands. The group generates approximately 27 percent of its total sales in China, Hong Kong, and Macau. At the same time, the company recorded a 30 percent loss in this region in the first six months of the current year compared to the same period last year.
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