Schaap en Citroen on the Kruiskade

Do you have a great passion for watches?

Mark: "Yes, I am a people person. Watches and jewellery tell so much about people, that has always interested me. It is visible, rational (watches) and emotional (jewelry). This playing field and the quality that goes with it, have grabbed me from a young age and this has never let me go. This industry is based on trust. A deal is a deal and the bar is set high. I realize that and cherish this starting point."

Who are your customers?

"Our customers are naturally diverse in profile, but what they have in common is that they embrace quality and service. They have created the opportunity for themselves to purchase these products. Our customers are communicative, demanding and well informed about the brands and products. So the bar is set high for us to fulfill and preferably exceed their wishes as best we can. Every day we try to do that well and preferably to get a little better at it every day. That is our ambition, and I'm sure our customers appreciate that."

Can you tell us something about the Rotterdam customers?

"We feel completely at home in Rotterdam. It is a multicultural city, with a high level of involvement in the city and its developments. It makes sense that a world port city is characterized by the presence of a large number of cosmopolitans. "

"People from Rotterdam know what's for sale in the world. They are very straightforward and don't beat around the bush. Our Schaap en Citroen customer teams on the Kruiskade come from Rotterdam and completely get this culture. And yes, there are there are definitely cultural differences between the various Schaap en Citroen jewelers."

How important is the store location?

"I want to be clear about that. Luxury Retail Rotterdam is the Kruiskade for us, the street for luxury and experience. Schaap en Citroen is completely at home here with its brand portfolio and will do everything it can, together with local entrepreneurs and international luxury brands, to help upgrade the street step by step. The opening of the Rolex/Patek Philippe Boutique is a great example of this.”

What do you expect the Kruiskade to look like in ten years?

"The area around the Kruiskade can be called unique, nowhere else can you find such balanced attention for living, working and shopping. In my view, the municipality and the real estate developers repeatedly make the right choices here."

What do you think of Manhave's vision for the redevelopment of The Lobby?

"We are looking forward to the result, but are a bit apprehensive about the demolition and construction work. However, we are convinced of the right intentions. It will certainly be a beautiful building, in which many luxury brands and store concepts will function very well. The street will certainly become more appealing and that is exactly what we want to achieve together."

What do you expect from the upgrading of the neighbourhood?

"It will take some time, but we have a lot of confidence in Manhave as a project owner. They carefully think about the steps they are taking and always have the bigger picture in mind. For our jewellery stores on the Kruiskade, the upgrading is a very good thing. During the implementation, there will be some inconvenience here and there, but in the end we will all be amazed by the result."

What do you hope for the new retail companies that will rent in The Lobby?

"Luxury brands stand for stability, for the long term. That is why I hope that retail companies will be added in the Kruiskade that opt for the long term. Such a project requires patience. Companies with a healthy vision and a strong financial background are preferred. We want Rotterdam to have a place where healthy luxury retail entrepreneurs can unite and bring an international offer. An offer that the cosmopolitan Rotterdammer can use perfectly in this much-loved city."

Read more about the Schaap en Citroen jewellery store on the Kruiskade.