CMJ suppliers, retailers report strong orders at August Trade Event
August 2019 – Suppliers and retailer members of the Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) reported strong orders at the “new look” CMJ August Trade Event.
Despite uncertainties over how Brexit will affect the jewellery retail business, suppliers and retailers spoke of a vigorous order flow at the August 4-5 event at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole at the NEC.
The event staged by Britain’s biggest jewellery buying group featured 104 supplier businesses, up from 97 at the last show in February.
“We had record sales,” said Himanshu Shah, director of Hatton Garden-based diamond jewellery supplier Andre Michael.
“We are very happy. We had a strong show. We had brisk enquiries for our new Orange Blossom collection.”
Shah added: “We were very impressed by the way the CMJ organised the event.”
Emma-Louise Gregory, UK & Ireland sales director of UNOde50, said: “We acquired over 10 new retailers and lots of positive follow up enquiries.”
She added: “We had a steady stream of retailers and friends in the trade visiting our stand, to view our latest collections.
“We also had a lot more footfall onto the stand due to the new ‘speed dating’ concept, meaning we could share our brand story and in turn opened with some great new partners.”
Craig Skinner, UK sales director of Royal Selangor, said: “We had a good show and achieved more orders than last year. More than happy with the results and hopefully lots more to follow within the peak trading period.”
Barry Mistlin, director of Amore, said: “Amore – Love jewellery were delighted with their new location in the diamond hall, opening three new accounts at the show and two more in the following few days on the road.”
Simon Forrester, CEO of NAJ, said: “I was really pleased by the reaction to our new training offering, and it’s great to be working closely with the CMJ team to help people on their jewellery journey.”
Among retailer members of CMJ, Richard Wehrly, director of Wehrly Bros., said: “We placed some nice orders and found some lovely product.
“The Speed Dating mechanic used at the recent trade event was fantastic as it engaged us in conversation with suppliers whom we hadn’t previously met.”
Simon Schachter, director of new member Saul Cass, said: “I connected with potential new suppliers, as well as existing ones and came away with two new confirmed suppliers who may become important for our future growth.”
Adam Jacobs, director of Jacobs of Reading, said: “I found the event much better than the last few editions – tighter and more focused on actual buying. The layout was good and I achieved all I needed to.”
The “new look” show featured a programme dedicated to help retailers bolster turnover and profitability.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive for a headline talk by best-selling motivational author and speaker Shed Simove at the Sunday night dinner, and free training sessions by industry experts on topical areas impacting on gems, pearls, understanding and selling watches, and the customer’s journey.
“I am absolutely thrilled with the positive responses to the CMJ Trade Event. From this we have many exciting successes to enhance and develop,” said Helen Dimmick, Consultant to the CMJ and interim business leader.
“We also have taken opportunities to learn and improve to ensure we strive forward for even greater collective results. Onwards and upwards!”
CMJ will be exhibiting at International Jewellery London (IJL), at Olympia from September 1-3, at stand number E30.
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