The two trade events – held in Perth on Tuesday 7 October and Adelaide on Thursday 9 October – offer jewellers that may have missed out on the larger jewellery fairs in Sydney and the Gold Coast a chance to stock up on new lines ahead of the busy Christmas period.
The Nationwide initiative will provide members with a six-month interest-free finance deal to spend with exhibitors at these trade days.
The buying group introduced the finance program 16 years ago as a way to help retailers introduce new ranges to their stores without compromising cash flow.
The program is available for all Nationwide buying days, including the annual conference and jewellery trade fairs, with the total amount of finance available reportedly amounting to more than $130,000 annually for those that attend all the events.
As previously reported by Jeweller, this year’s Perth and Adelaide Jewellery Trade Days will introduce a range of new initiatives, including educational seminars with The Templar Group’s Debra Templar and a live bench demonstration.
A jewellery box comprising items donated by exhibitors will also be given away at both events. Among the pieces up for grabs is a range of opal jewellery valued at $6,000 from Opals Australia, a Jiminy Cricket pendant from Disney Couture Jewellery and a “coinwatch” from Mason Fair featuring an Australian sixpence set with Swarovski elements.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet the Jewellers Association of Australia (JAA) executive director Amanda Hunter as well as to network with suppliers during the free lunch and Happy Hour.
“It’s great to be travelling and having the one-on-one time in Perth and Adelaide,” organiser Gary Fitz-Roy said. “There were some great new releases at the Sydney Fair that are coming along to the trade days.”
The first Jewellery Trade Day will be held at the Duxton Hotel in Perth, while the second will be hosted at the Mercure Grosvenor Hotel in Adelaide.
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