Australia’s largest jewellery buying group has thrown its support behind the inaugural National Jewellery Forums set for Adelaide on Tuesday 15 October and Perth on Thursday 17 October. Nationwide’s $10,000 “Forum Dollars” arrangement can be used at trade fairs, conferences and on the buying group’s trips to Antwerp.
The finance program was initiated 15 years ago as a way to help members introduce new ranges in store without compromising cash flow and, according to Nationwide director Barry Jackson, this latest initiative takes the total amount of finance available each year to more than $100,000 per member.
“We have developed a really easy system for members using this finance. All they have to do is write the approximate amount spent with each supplier on the control sheet, and then they pay in six monthly instalments by credit card, earning frequent flyer points at the same time,” Jackson said.
The National Jewellery Forums is a new style trade event designed to provide jewellery retailers in South Australia and Western Australia – who may not have been able to visit the larger trade events held in Sydney and Brisbane – with an opportunity to view and purchase new product in the lead-up to the Christmas trading period.
Biggest and best
Event organiser Gary Fitz-Roy said there would be 40 jewellery suppliers exhibiting at the inaugural events including Karin Adcock’s new House of Brands company. However, he said jewellery retailers were looking for more than just product these days, they were looking for inspiration.
“The forums are unique and will be the biggest and best specialised jewellery event to visit Adelaide and Perth and we are excited to present some of the industry’s favourites along with some exciting new brands. It will include the return of Karin Adcock with her three new ranges along with the other leading brands, it’s all about getting that new product edge, and with 40 companies, no other event to visit these states has so many new things on show.
“But it’s not just about product. One of the things we found at the Sydney jewellery fair was that visitors want to be educated and entertained, and gone are the days of getting a few wholesalers together, putting them in a room and hoping that buyers will come along and spend. They [retailers] are looking for more than just product, they are looking for inspiration,” Fitz-Roy said.
For that reason the new National Jewellery Forums will include education sessions presented by small business expert Debra Templar who will present a one-hour seminar before the events open officially. Templar will discuss ways in which successful retailers re-invent their stores and consistently create unique customer experiences.
The JAA has also seized on the opportunity to meet visitors in a smaller gathering and will be hosting information sessions about its proposed industry-wide, self-regulated accreditation program. The meetings will begin at 5:30pm. See
separate story for more information.
The National Jewellery Forums will be held at the Adelaide Event and Exhibition Centre, Tuesday 15 October and the Crown Perth Casino Thursday 17 October. Operating hours are between 11am and 7pm and the seminar and JAA presentations are both free.