The Jewellery Show 2012 to expand, add suppliers
BIRMINGHAM, England, December 2011 – The Jewellery Show 2012 will feature prestigious new suppliers, present a new section showcasing watches brands, and focus strongly on new trends.
The event, which will take place from February 5-9 at the Birmingham NEC, will communicate the newest trends in retail in a bid to boost the quality of the experience for both retail buyers and suppliers.
Big brand Swarovski, celebrated for its crystal jewellery, will be exhibiting at The Jewellery Show for the first time and Pandora will return, again sponsoring the popular catwalk.
“From the research that we did in 2011, we understood that buyers want to see something new. They want to see what is the next new trend, what is the next new brand coming through,” said Julie Driscoll, Event Director.
“We’ve got Swarovski at our show – a lot of our clients had said they would really like to see Swarovski — for the first time in 2012.”
The presence of Swarovski and Pandora is a coup for The Jewellery Show in 2012, as Swarovski has not exhibited in the UK for many years, and Pandora exhibits in the UK solely at The Jewellery Show, Driscoll said.
Ti Sento and Ken Carr London will return to The Jewellery Show as exhibitors, and new brands Phantasya, Tresor Paris, London Pearl Company, Dan Jewellers, and Charles Green, will exhibit for the first time
New precious brands are coming too. St. Maurice, which features diamonds and bridal rings, will be at The Jewellery Show for the first time, and Breuning will return after an absence.
HEIGHTENED FOCUS ON WATCHES
The Jewellery Show, responding to strong demand for watches at retail jewellers in the UK, has created a section to bring together watches brands for the first time.
“Watches of a certain level are really moving well in the UK, selling through the retail jewellers,” Driscoll said.
She said that while many retail jewellers visited BASELWORLD to order top-end watches, there will be an opportunity for many of Britain’s 4,500 retail jewellers who do not go to Basel to buy watches at The Jewellery Show.
“We have found that there is a gap in the market, so we have created a section called Time – this is just under 100 watch brands. Brands such as Festina, Storm watches, Oasis, Puma, Switch, Danish Designs, and Alessandro Baldieri,” Driscoll said.
“This is very much a reflection that watches brands are fuelling the jewellery industry to a certain extent,” she said.
BIGGER DESIGN QUARTER
The Jewellery Show has increased the size of the Design Quarter, showcasing the works of some of Britain’s most talented young designers, such as Sarah Ho, Alexander Davis, Rachel Galley, and Leyla Abdollahi.
The total floor area of the show has increased, and in 2012 will be up by 30 percent compared with two years previously.
“We are focusing on the quality of the suppliers, and on newness,” Driscoll said, referring to the importance of identifying new trends in retail.
“Jewellery retailers want to know what is next in terms of business and in terms of design.”
The Jewellery Show will stage an expanded seminar programme to help retailers to identify new trends, learn about the impact of volatile precious metals markets on their businesses, and the outlook for e-commerce and design.
One seminar will look at how retailers should embrace the Web by connecting to Facebook and Twitter to develop marketing.
The seminars will again be located in the catwalk area, in response to requests from buyers attending the show.
CATWALK
One of the central features of The Jewellery Show 2012 will be the catwalk, set in the central aisle of the exhibition area, sponsored by Pandora.
“We have found that this is a really popular area of the show,” Driscoll said.
“I have not seen a better quality and execution of the catwalk at any other show.”
The Jewellery Show has doubled the size of the VIP lounge for 2012, and has a restaurant within the exhibition centre where buyers can book tables for working lunches.
Retailers who visit the Hockley Mint stand can enter a draw to become a VIP for the day. They will receive a golden ticket which will allow them to have a drink in the catwalk area and use the VIP lounge.
One lucky retailer will win a spa break for two after the show.
“That’s an example of how we, The Jewellery Show, and Hockley Mint, the sponsor, care about the customer experience, both during and after the show,” Driscoll said.
Clogau Gold, known for their historic ties with royalty for bridal rings, has invited a royal harpist to play at The Jewellery Show between 5-6 pm on Sunday.
“That’s going to be a nice entertainment for retailers, and create a buzz and an atmosphere,” Driscoll said.
THE JEWELLERY SHOW TRADE EVENT
The Jewellery Show plans to stage a mid- to high-end, two-day trade event at Somerset House on June 12-13 during London Jewellery Week, Driscoll said.
Part of the focus of the event will be promotion of The Jewellery Show in Birmingham, she added.
The Jewellery Show 2012 will feature a number of non-UK exhibitors, including Italian and German suppliers, as it broadens its appeal internationally, Driscoll said.
