Hundreds of shoppers caused chaos outside the Swatch store on Barcelona's Passeig de Gràcia on Saturday, leading to police intervention and the store's closure. The crowds gathered for the launch of a limited edition watch collection, creating significant public order issues.
Around 300 people had assembled outside the shop, located on Barcelona's major shopping avenue, by Saturday morning. Police sources confirmed that some individuals had been queuing for days. The situation escalated rapidly, making it impossible for the store to open safely.
The Mossos d'Esquadra and Guardia Urbana deployed units to control the crowds and prevent incidents. Store management ultimately decided against opening the Passeig de Gràcia branch. This decision prioritised the safety of both customers and staff.
Another Swatch store in the city, located within the Illa Diagonal shopping centre, managed to open. However, it also experienced a strong influx of customers during its initial operating hours.
High Demand for "Royal Pop" Collection
The "Royal Pop" collection watches, priced between €385 and €400, draw inspiration from high-end Audemars Piguet models. These luxury timepieces can cost over €20,000. This significant price difference has generated immense interest, particularly among resellers.
Resellers have already started advertising the watches on second-hand platforms. They expect prices to multiply rapidly. This practice highlights the speculative nature of such limited edition releases.
Global Phenomenon and Store Closures
Barcelona was not the only city to experience such scenes. Swatch temporarily closed several stores in the United Kingdom, including locations in London, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Liverpool. Hundreds of people had gathered outside these shops before opening hours.
The company cited safety concerns for both customers and employees as the reason for these closures. Meanwhile, some models have appeared on resale platforms in the UK for up to £16,000. This shows the high demand and speculative pressure surrounding the collaboration.
The phenomenon has extended to other international capitals. This global launch faced both high expectation and logistical challenges due to its commercial success.
Impact on Barcelona's Public Order
The incident on Passeig de Gràcia underscores the challenges city authorities face managing large, spontaneous gatherings. Such events can disrupt daily life for residents and businesses in busy urban areas. Barcelona's central shopping district often sees high foot traffic.
Moving forward, retailers launching highly anticipated limited edition products may need to implement stricter crowd control measures. This could prevent similar public safety issues in popular areas like Passeig de Gràcia.
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Originally published by La Vanguardia Barcelona. Read original article.
