Jewellery & Watch 2019 Closes on Positive Note as Exhibitors Look Ahead to 2020 Re-Edit
March 2019 – The 2019 edition of Jewellery & Watch closed on a positive note, with exhibitors reporting an upbeat mood, strong orders and good quality visitors.
Exhibitors noted good turnout across the five days of the event, including a mix of buyers and independent retailers prepared to do business.
• Alison Hargreaves, director of exhibitor, Midhaven, said: “This was our 26th Spring Fair and probably one of the most positive and enjoyable as exhibitors. We had a great show, with new accounts representing an unprecedented 40% of orders. Our order numbers were more than double those of last year, our average order value was up, and the quality of prospects and customers was up on previous years.”
• Mendi Gertner, sales director of Pre-Owned Jewellery/MG Diamonds, added: “This was our third year exhibiting at Jewellery & Watch and the show was good for us. We had good transactions, but it was the quality of the connections we made that excited me more than anything, both in terms of buyers and sellers. We have seen interest in our pre-owned jewellery grow year-on-year at Jewellery & Watch. In 2019, we took the step of advertising on-site and this brought lots of people to our stand. We look forward to returning in 2020.”
• Tony Tankel, director of Houlden Group supplier, HW Tankel, noted: “Tankel, the diamond specialists had another successful Spring Fair. Although high street trading can be challenging at this time, we found that there was real enthusiasm and determination to ensure that business is strong in 2019. We specialise in sourcing superb value diamonds and we found good demand from long established clients and from new contacts a real desire to have the right diamond product at the best possible price.”
• Gecko general manager, Ruth Johnson, said: “Gecko Jewellery had consistent and steady footfall from both traditional fine jewellery independents and multiples; we also attracted gifting retailers with the introduction of new bespoke display stands that allowed us to really show off the breadth of offer, in particular, our Beginnings range. Our decision to maintain a significant exhibition footprint at Jewellery & Watch really paid dividends. We’re really looking forward to seeing the fruition of the proposed changes to Jewellery & Watch in 2020, including the move to Hall 1.”
Early feedback suggests men’s jewellery, pre-owned fine jewellery and watches, and fashion-led silver jewellery collections were the most attention-grabbing product categories.
During the show, rebooking rates for Jewellery & Watch 2020 mirrored the positive atmosphere and signalled exhibitor confidence in the move to a dedicated area in Hall 1 of the NEC, Birmingham.
Brands and businesses returning for 2020 include H W Tankel, Wedds & Co., MG Diamonds, BQ Watches, CME Leicester, Tiangus Jackson and Kurate International.
Jewellery & Watch event director, Kirsty Broere, says: “We are delighted with the success of Jewellery & Watch 2019 and the positivity we have felt from our exhibitors. We are especially thrilled that so many of them have embraced the Spring Fair 2020 Re-Edit and will be joining us as we make the move to Hall 1. This new location will more firmly align Jewellery & Watch with the surrounding fashion and giftware sectors, allowing for a greater cross-over of buyers. It will also make the show more accessible to those stepping off the train or airplane at Birmingham International.”
Simon Forrester, Chief Executive of the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), commented: “Jewellery & Watch is a fantastic opportunity to meet and greet existing NAJ members and potential new members. Feedback from visitors and exhibitors across all five days of the event was positive, with many saying the show had exceeded their expectations. As the association at the heart of the UK jewellery trade, we are pleased that Jewellery & Watch’s new owner, ITE Group, is getting behind the show and revitalising its presence with the move to Hall 1. This is an incredibly positive step for Jewellery & Watch and the industry as a whole, and we look forward to 2020.”
Bridal jewellery and loose diamond exhibitors reported a successful show at Jewellery & Watch 2019, which suggests there is a continued appetite for fine jewellery at the show. The Jewellery & Watch team will now look to grow this sector and bring in new fine jewellery, bridal and loose diamond exhibitors in 2020.
Jewellery & Watch 2020 will take place from February 2-6, 2020 at the NEC, Birmingham.
To find out more, please visit: jewelleryandwatchbirmingham.com
