Company of Master Jewellers plans to expand retailer, supplier network
By David Brough
BIRMINGHAM, March 4, 2018 – The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ), the UK and Ireland’s largest buying group in watches and jewellery, is looking to expand its retail member and supplier network, senior executives said.
The CMJ has identified some 100 towns and cities where it is not represented and will start reaching out to priority locations, said its Chairman, Michael Aldridge.
“The key is to go back to basics and concentrate on members and suppliers,” CEO Terry Boot told Jewellery Outlook.
In key strategic locations the CMJ does not rule out the possibility of having more than one retailer represented.
The organisation is also constantly on the lookout for new suppliers who meet the requirements of member retailers.
“We will look at any supplier who wants to come and approach us,” Aldridge said.
The Chairman and CEO were speaking on the sidelines of the March 4-5 Trade Event, a twice-a-year gathering which brings together independent retailer members and suppliers, including jewellery manufacturers, watch brands, jewellery designers and polished diamond and gemstone suppliers.
Madestones’ offering included their first jewellery collections featuring lab-grown diamonds.
Jewels of Queensland presented an array of unheated gemstones from Queensland, including opals, sapphires and chrysoprase.
POPULAR DIAMOND CUTS
Diamond jewellers attending the CMJ Trade Event said Prince Harry’s engagement to U.S. actress Meghan Markle, had sparked enquiries for diamond cuts inspired by Ms Markle’s ring.
Prince Harry designed the three-stone engagement ring that he gave to Ms Markle, which includes two diamonds from the jewellery collection of his late mother Princess Diana.
The main focus of the ring is an elongated cushion-cut centre stone from Botswana, where the couple holidayed, and is flanked by two round brilliant cut diamonds from Princess Diana’s jewellery collection.
