Watches of Switzerland, a UK retailer of high-end watches, reports strong performance that runs counter to a broader slowdown in the luxury sector. Across the 53 weeks to 3 May, the company says its statutory pre-tax profit rises 76% to £133m, while adjusted operating profit increases to £155m. The retailer attributes the improvement largely to demand from wealthy customers in the United States. In parallel, it reports a 13% increase in sales to £1.83bn, with US sales described as a key driver of growth. Taken together, the results suggest the company is benefiting from continued consumer spend in premium watch categories even as other luxury brands face softer conditions. The company’s statements indicate that the strength of US demand helps offset pressures affecting the wider market. These figures reflect the group’s annual results and provide a snapshot of its trading performance heading into the period immediately after its reporting date.