UK’s CMJ holds biggest ever buying meeting
LONDON, March 28, 2010 – The Company of Master Jewellers, the UK’s biggest buying group, held its biggest ever Buying Meeting at Chesford Grange in Warwickshire, England, from March 7-8, attracting a footfall of over 500 people.
For the first time, contemporary British designers were invited to exhibit at the meeting, in a new initiative with the British Jewellers Association (BJA).
These included Sarah Herriot, William Cheshire, FSA, Tomasz Donocik, Oria Ethical Jewellery, David Webdale, Rowan Davis and Eastern Mystic Jewellery.
“Several designers were able to secure orders with retailers and all of them made some very good contacts which they are now following up,” said Lindsey Straughton from the BJA.
“It was a great experience for them and also showed the buyers that we have some very good contemporary designer-makers in the UK, who can be viewed as highly professional suppliers for independent retailers.”
The fastest growing brand within the CMJ is Mastercut, a collection that has been developed as the unique signature cut fine jewellery diamond brand for the Group in an exclusive partnership with Tolkowsky.
Mastercut has increased the number of retail stockists by 10 new accounts in 2010.
The CMJ now has a membership representing over 205 shops and has 129 approved suppliers that include some of the world’s biggest watch and jewellery brands.
