What are the prerequisites for joining?
We consider applications from any jewellery store, including those that specialise in design and manufacture, providing the business is not in direct competition with an existing Nationwide member.
Nationwide’s staff of industry experts, extensive resources and technology systems allows us to effectively deliver our range of benefits and services to the 400-plus stores in our group.
What are the benefits of joining?
For more than 30 years, our staff has been providing members with the resources and information to achieve best practices in the jewellery industry. We guarantee that members will be financially better off with our trade discounts and no-fees structure.
In retail, it is essential to promote your strengths, which is why all of our marketing resources are aimed at supporting and reinforcing the independence of our members, as well as custom design and manufacture.
We also provide a huge range of resources covering merchandise, product knowledge, human resources, training, business planning and more. Most are available through our members portal, or ‘dashboard’.
At Nationwide, we work hard to help our members in all aspects of their business, and we welcome the opportunity to show new jewellers and jewellery retailers what we can do to improve their bottom line.
We add significant value to an independent jeweller’s business at no cost and without risk.
What is the cost of membership?
There are no joining fees, administration fees, agency fees, technology fees or security deposits.
We do not charge fees of any kind. A membership with Nationwide is entirely free.
How will you support local jewellery manufacturers?
Our preferred suppliers can promote their products directly to members via our online portal. Our annual conferences attract around 200 members, ensuring a highly successful buying event for local manufacturers. For our manufacturing members, we provide up to $500 of financial assistance to apprentices working in their businesses every year.
What unique benefits are offered?
Our comprehensive Antwerp marketing plan and resources have delivered millions of dollars in additional diamond sales for our members, including two members who made pre-trip diamond sales of more than $220,000. Across more than 20 years our members have collectively made in excess of 1200 trips to Antwerp.
More than 120 Nationwide members have attended our half-day Retail Jewellery Business Management Course. The course covers key aspects of retail that are essential for increasing market share and profitability in difficult trading conditions. The course is valued at $4,500 but is free for members. In addition to the course, we offer a range business support services that includes annual budgeting and performance assessments.
Due to the size of our group, the business and networking events we are able to deliver are highly valued by our membership. These include our annual 3 day ‘Time Out’ conferences, VIP lounge and seminars held at the International Jewellery Fair, plus access to our members-only Facebook networking group for discussion of all things jewellery and retail.
What kinds of promotional support will you offer members?
Alongside our marketing staff, our two in-house graphic designers are available to help members build marketing support for campaigns, displays, and sales, and fulfil any other design need that a member might have. There are also many promotions ready for download at any time from our dashboard.
What are the major events your buying group has planned for this year?
We will be participating at all of the major industry events.
- Melbourne Jewellery Expo 4-6 February, MCEC
- Australian Jewellery Fair Sydney 18-19 March, ICC in Darling Harbour
- International Jewellery Fair Sydney 19-21 August, ICC in Darling Harbour
Additionally, we have scheduled our own events.
- Antwerp diamond buying trips to the various site holders in Antwerp, Belgium in March and September.
- Our annual Timeout Conference, free for all reward-level members, at the Shangri-La, Yanuca Island in Fiji in May.
In what unique ways will membership with your buying group benefit members in 2023?
Our free ‘retail jewellery business management course’ will again be held in various capital cities around Australia.
We are not aware of any other courses or training materials that provide such industry-specific business information.
Our Antwerp marketing program is resuming in March.
As previously mentioned, the program delivers substantial additional diamond sales for members. Collectively, the group has made 1,200 trips to Antwerp since the program started in 1999.
The Global Jewellers Network, formed by The Company of Master Jewellers (UK), Independent Jewelers Organization (US) and Nationwide Jewellers will provide further advantages to our membership in the years ahead.