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Jewellery & Watch 2020 a sparkling success

by Olivia Powell

Trade show Jewellery & Watch celebrated a successful 2020 edition, bolstered by its move to Hall 1 of the NEC, Birmingham and its close ties to Spring Fair.

Exhibiting brands and businesses reported positive footfall and order numbers, as well as a wealth of new opportunities to be explored post-show.

Commercial development manager at Tianguis Jackson, Kate Murphy, said: “We were very pleased with the level of fresh business and especially the quality of new opportunities that opened up at the show.”

Returning exhibitor, Ti Sento – Milano, also enjoyed a positive show experience. Judith Lockwood, director of Ti Sento – Milano distributor, Mesmeric Distribution Ltd, said: “Hall 1 delivered for us and the hall was busy and alive. We met with our existing retailers, wrote business and made new plans and commitments. We also met with many new retailers, some of whom we knew and many we didn’t and would not have met had we not exhibited at Jewellery & Watch.

“In addition, we now know a variety of retailers from other sectors, with great businesses and locations, who bring a new twist to who we can potentially work with. Importantly, many of our trade colleagues came to ask how the show has been. Busy, fantastic, encouraging, positive and profitable is the answer. We encouraged all of them to consider signing for next year based on the strength of business this week has given us.”

Director of long-standing Jewellery & Watch exhibitor Midhaven, Alison Hargreaves, said: “Midhaven had an excellent Spring Fair, the best in four years in fact, signing up lots of new accounts and selling to more diverse businesses. Silver jewellery sales were very encouraging, especially our silver animals and Opalique collections. The move to Hall 1 was positive and encouraged an upbeat atmosphere – a welcome change from recent years.”

Another returning customer, Valerie Blount of Val B’s Wax Jewellery, added: “The new venue was great. As well as being much closer to the station, there was a positive air of renewal amongst everyone. Some of my visitors said they hadn’t been to the show for years and so came to take a look at the changes. I received lots of orders and some useful leads and am now really looking forward to taking part in Jewellery, Watch & Fashion at Autumn Fair.”

Retail services and solutions suppliers were similarly positive about their Jewellery & Watch 2020 experience. Philip Goodman of Goodman Bros. The Service Brand Company, said: “We had a very successful show across our service brands. We opened in excess of 50 new doors for The Inverness Piercing System, and jewellers are now back in the business of professional piercing. Without doubt we couldn’t have seen the volume of people we did in such a short space of time without this show.”

For new exhibitors and emerging brands, Jewellery & Watch proved it is still a strong destination for brand visibility, growth and signed orders. Naomi Stacey, owner and jewellery designer at Bamboo Vera, said: “On day one of the show we had our first order placed before 9:40am which was incredible! We also had our first international order and many more to make the whole show a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The buyers’ feedback to our jewellery, giftboxes and branding was fantastic and made us certain we will be booking again for Spring Fair 2021.”

Guardian Brands, the distributor of Angel Whisperer by Engelsrufer in the UK and Ireland, also had a positive Jewellery & Watch debut. Guardian Brands founder, Stewart Arvan, said: “This was our first trade show in the UK since taking over the distribution of Angel Whisperer. I can happily feedback that the results exceeded our expectations. We opened several new accounts at the show and attracted a large number of potential customers we would not normally have targeted, which has paved the way for new avenues of business. Speaking to other exhibitors the move to Hall 1 was given the thumbs up.”

Sarah Bussey, managing director of Ivory & Co. and newly launched brand, Sarah Alexander, said: “We could not have hoped for a better show at Jewellery & Watch. We’ve been in the jewellery trade for nearly 30 years with our award-winning Ivory & Co. brand supplying over 1,500 wedding boutiques and jewellers with beautiful bridal accessories, but this year saw the launch of our new Sarah Alexander brand of high-end luxury fashion jewellery. We took on many new stockists and met an amazing array of stores from small boutiques to large corporations all interested in our distinctive take on what consumers are now looking for in the industry. We left with a full order folder and are excited to be working with so many lovely stores.”

Fine jewellery brands had equally positive feedback about this year’s show. Daniel Vecht, managing director of London Pearl, said: “We were really pleased with the management of the show and new layout in Hall 1. Our sales were much better than last year, and we are pleased to re-book for next year.”

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