Retailers have been left high and dry with no communication from Lion Brands director Anthony Hoffman. Jeweller has received a number of telephone calls from jewellers who returned watches to the company for repair and servicing.
Nationwide Jewellers managing director Colin Pocklington said many of his members are affected by the closure: “We had several members on our Facebook group asking why no-one was answering the phones at Lion Brands, prior to becoming aware of Jeweller’s report that they have closed their doors.”
“The members were asking what will happen with warranty repairs on Luminox, Victorinox and Christian Bernard watches,” Pocklington added.
Jewellery and watch suppliers have legal obligations surrounding product warranty.
“On 6 February I wrote to Anthony Hoffman, the director of Lion Brands, asking what arrangements they have made for warranty work on the brands that they distributed. I also mentioned that he would no doubt be aware of their obligations to continue providing a warranty service and parts under Australian Consumer Law.”
Pocklington said Hoffman had not replied at the time of publication.
There is no indication or notification of the business’s closure on the company website.
Hoffman owns a separate architecture and interior design business - ACRD Pty Ltd - with which Lion Brands shared offices in Glenhuntly, Melbourne. Graeme Goldman, a former managing director of The Swatch Group Australia, established Lion Brands in 2011 and was a director until late last year.
The company also operates two retail stores under the name 8th Avenue Watch Co, which claim to be “Australia’s largest retailer of independent Swiss Made watches”.
The stores opened in 2015 and are located at Emporium Shopping Centre, Melbourne, and Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast; however, according to 8th Avenue staff, they are set to close on 28 February.
“We have to pack up all the stock at the end of the month and send it back to Melbourne,” a staff member explained.
The stores’ website is now promoting “Big brand watch sale now on”.
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Lion Brands closes its Swiss watch business