Swatch stores close for second day after crowds

Swatch stores closed for a second day after queues built up again in Manchester and Liverpool. The stores were first closed on Saturday "due to safety considerations" in Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow, Cardiff and London.

Swatch asked people "not to rush to our stores in large numbers" in a social media post after crowds gathered at branches worldwide. The items, which have been resold online for up to £16,000, would "remain available for several months". Some have criticised the company, saying the watches should be available on its website and that police resources had been unnecessarily diverted. The firm said in an online statement: "To ensure the safety of both our customers and our staff in Swatch stores, we kindly ask you not to rush to our stores in large numbers to acquire this product." The firm also stated that "In some countries, queues of more than 50 people cannot be accepted, and sales may need to be paused."

Police officers were deployed to a store near Versailles in France on Saturday. One man was arrested in Cardiff on Saturday, while police were called to reports of people "making threats" outside the Liverpool store. The firm launched its new "Royal Pop" pocket watch collaboration with luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet at selected stores worldwide on Saturday. The Royal Pop collection officially retails between £335 and £350. An event was cancelled in Dubai, while police officers were also called to launches in France and Switzerland. In New York, shoppers camped out in Times Square for a week, with reports that some became unwell during the wait.