Chaps, Diesel, Emporio Armani, Fossil, kate spade new york, Michael Kors, Misfit and Skagen will each launch product in the wearables space in 2016, according to Fossil Group.
More than 100 wearables products – which include display- and non-display watches and trackers – will be available in 40 countries and more than 20 languages by Holiday 2016. The category of wearables offered will vary by brand. Fossil Group will support the wearables with branded apps across all brands, three product categories, and two operating systems.
The 2016 launches are part of the company’s efforts to bring a fashion-first focus, innovation and an increased variety of products to the wearables industry.
“One of the distinct advantages of a fashion company over traditional consumer electronics manufacturers is our product cycle. We demonstrate remarkable speed to market, from development to launch, in order to meet the retail industry’s seasonal new product deadlines,” says Greg McKelvey, chief strategy and digital officer, Fossil Group.
“The industry has been slow to adapt to growing consumer desires for new styles and options for wearables. With the diversity of major fashion brands we offer, customers will be delighted with the sheer volume of styles and options available when shopping for a wearable that fits their personal style.”
With the look, feel and fashion appeal of traditional watches, Fossil Group’s digital display watches and non-display watches leverage the company’s core competency in making beautiful, quality watches.
Since acquiring Misfit in November 2015, Fossil Group has increased capabilities for the development and production of the technology supporting its wearables products. The company’s wearable technology platform includes proprietary power management technology that enables coin cell battery-powered non-display watches and trackers to be deployed across the entire Fossil Group brand portfolio. Without the need for daily, weekly or even monthly charging, the new devices function much more like traditional watches and lifestyle accessories than as typical consumer electronic products that require daily maintenance.
Concurrent with the advancement of Fossil Group’s owned technology and research and development capabilities, the company continues its strong partnerships with third-party technology partners, including Google and their Android Wear platform, to deliver on the company’s short- and long-term wearables strategy.
