IJC will be lead by Josh Zarb, former general manager of Leading Edge Group Jewellers (LEGJ), and will focus on supporting retailers by providing business strategies, marketing services, retail technology, and funding.
“The retail industry has changed and we need to shake up how we will work with our partners. We are excited to offer a new business model into the jewellery marketplace that ensures our partners [retailers] are provided with funds and resources for them to succeed,” Zarb said.
He explained that the IJC’s vision will be “to create an unparalleled level of one on one support, a true partnership, ensuring independents stay relevant to the upcoming generations of jewellery buyers.”
It will do so “by re-educating, rejuvenating and elevating jewellers and supply partners on a new journey of modern retailing.”
Zarb left LEGJ in December 2018 following a company restructure and joined Expertise Events, organiser of the International Jewellery & Watch Fair.
Simon Allison, Evan Mueller, Senthil Jayaraman and Summer Gartrell will join him in the IJC startup venture.
Zarb said his decision to leave Expertise Events to form a new buying group was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.
“The thought of working back in the industry I love with people I genuinely care about was the motivation. Assisting and mentoring small business is what gives me the biggest satisfaction, and being able to do this whilst controlling the direction was extremely appealing. I am fortunate to be surrounded by a great team and we all look forward to seeing what lies ahead.”
The IJC’s business model is designed to give retailers more flexibility than traditional buying groups.
“We know understand the [retailer] pain points. We plan to do things differently, with a focus on empowering independents,” Zarb explained.
“Businesses need choice, they need flexibility and they need different resources at different times of the year and at different stages of their lease terms. Our model will allow our partners to pick and choose the assistance they require, when they need it and they will have the flexibility to do this as often as needed.”
He added, “We offer a personalised service and we are here to take the burden off our partners. As everyone knows, small business owners are extremely time poor, and that’s where our expert team are here to help. Our partners trust in our expertise, so they can focus on theirs.”
IJC will launch in February, and is currently accepting expressions of interest from Australia’s finest independent jewellery retailers and leading suppliers via their website: jewellerscollective.com
More reading:
Josh Zarb joins Expertise Events
Leading Edge Jewellers restructures