Mood upbeat at IJL 2009 despite recession
By Tom Wildhern
LONDON, September 9, 2009 – The mood was remarkably upbeat at International Jewellery London (IJL) in 2009 despite the recession, with some jewellers reporting their best ever orders at the event.
There was a feeling that people had had enough of the economic crisis and it was time to move forward with a blend of innovation, determination and disciplined business practices.
A number of seminars at IJL this year focused on how to beat the recession, and jewellers and retailers showed up in good numbers in order to learn the right strategies to deliver improved sales performance and profitability.
“Success is an awful teacher, because it makes you sloppy,” Dennis Reid of Retail Performance Specialists Ltd told a seminar entitled “How to Recession Proof your Jewellery Business.”
Reid outlined strategies to help jewellery businesses work better by improving systems and processes and getting the best results out of staff.
He spoke of how racing car group McLaren had helped medical units boost operational efficiency.
“The best ideas can come from outside your profession,” he said.
“Adopt, Adapt, Apply.”
Attention will now switch to the September edition of the Vicenza Fair in Italy next week, where jewellers will be keenly looking towards the Christmas season.
The strong performance at IJL this year could be a positive signal for Vicenza.
Let’s see.
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