Jeweller - December Issue 2017

More documents

Info

UPFRONT “I first worked in my family’s jewellery business as a ‘glassy/waiter’ at Christmas functions and later in the school holidays running errands and polishing.” How were you introduced to the industry? JUSTIN MCCABE, GERARD MCCABE JEWELLERS “I started my diamond business 20 years ago. I was supposed to be an accountant but couldn’t turn my back on this opportunity – business was in my blood!” SHWETA KHAN, STARFIRE DIAMOND JEWELLERY “I was introduced to the industry while exploring ways to build an engagement ring for my now wife. I discovered a love for creating pieces and have never looked back.” SIMON GOODBURN, RIBS & DUST VOICE OF THE AUSTRALIAN JEWELLERY INDUSTRY jewellermagazine.com Managing Editor Coleby Nicholson Editor Emily Mobbs emily.mobbs@jewellermagazine.com Journalist Talia Paz talia.paz@gunnamattamedia.com Advertising Manager Gary Collins gary.collins@jewellermagazine.com Digital Manager Angela Han angela.han@gunnamattamedia.com BULLETIN BOARD n CHRISTMAS CHEER Consider this: teamwork makes the dream work. A successful store is only as strong as its staff and ensuring they are managed correctly during the festive season is crucial. Scheduling regular meetings that clearly state the demands of each employee should not be underestimated. A little Christmas pudding also wouldn’t go astray. n FUTURE NUPTIALS The ‘world’s first’ wedding department store has opened in London. Think of The Wedding Gallery as a one-stop venue for wedding planning, housing everything from bridal gowns, florists, beauty studios and of course jewellery. The space also reportedly offers an exclusive members-only club for the industry with meeting rooms, event spaces and networking activities. n THIRST FOR JEWELS Research suggests that people are drawn to jewellery because of water. A study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology theorises that the preference for glossy objects – metals and diamonds – stems from “an innate preference for fresh water as a resource”. DIGITAL BRAINWAVE SHOW OF HANDS Businesses looking for more ways to engage with customers in the lead up to Christmas are in luck. Instagram has launched Polls, an interactive poll – in the form of a sticker superimposed over a photo – that allows users to ask questions and view the results. After taking a photo or video, add the poll sticker and upload to Instagram Stories; followers can immediately start voting and retailers will see real-time results. There are plenty of insights jewellers can glean from this nifty feature … rose, yellow or white gold this Christmas? Are statement earrings or a stack of bangles the trend of choice? The opportunities are endless so get polling! TOP PRODUCT Cluse’s 18-carat rose gold-plated Essentielle black crystals chain bracelet is from the brand’s new jewellery range. Distributed by Heart & Grace, the piece was the most popular product last month ranked by views at jewellermagazine.com. Production Manager & Graphic Design Jo De Bono art@gunnamattamedia.com Accounts accounts@gunnamattamedia.com Subscriptions info@jewellermagazine.com Jeweller is published by: Gunnamatta Media Pty Ltd Locked Bag 26, South Melbourne, VIC 3205 AUSTRALIA ABN 64 930 790 434 Phone: +61 3 9696 7200 Fax: +61 3 9696 8313 info@gunnamattamedia.com Copyright: All material appearing in Jeweller is subject to copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without prior written consent of the publisher. Gunnamatta Media Pty Ltd strives to report accurately and fairly and it is our policy to correct significant errors of fact and misleading statements in the next available issue. All statements made, although based on information believed to be reliable and accurate at the time, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. Any comment relating to subjective opinions should be addressed to the editor. Advertising: The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement to comply with Australian law and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material. 8 Jeweller December 2017
NEWS NEWS Gearing up for Christmas challenges Despite tough trading, buying group heads agreed that jewellers who remained positive and implemented certain strategies during the Christmas period would place themselves in good stead for a positive outcome. Nationwide Jewellers managing director Colin Pocklington said staff training, consumer financing and window displays that included some ‘loss leader’ pieces and visible price tickets on all items were important areas to address. “Use this time to clear as much old stock as possible, which will take the pressure off cashflow in 2018, and make room for better performing ranges,” Pocklington added. Showcase Jewellers general manager Carson Webb said retailers needed to be aware that Christmas sales were becoming ‘flatlined’. “For most, the percentage is no longer the big 25 per cent of sales in December,” he explained. Webb said rather than discussing market challenges, the industry required a proactive approach: “We can’t change the situation; however, we can change how our stores are presented and what’s on offer to our customers and, importantly, the way in which staff engage with them.” The comments followed ABS statistics that showed a below average 1.44 per cent yearon-year retail sales increase for September. Jeweller shines in VET awards Adelaide-based jeweller Laura Pivovaroff was recently crowned Apprentice of the Year at the 2017 South Australian Training Awards. Pivovaroff – who works at Wishart Jewellers and completed a jewellery manufacturing apprenticeship last year – was one of four finalists narrowed down from 22 category entrants working across the various industries that fell under the state’s vocational education and training (VET) sector. “Winning this award means that my passion and dedication was recognised within the jewellery industry as well as in the world outside of jewellery,” Pivovaroff said. The jeweller would act as an ‘ambassador’ to promote the benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship in South Australia. She was also expected to represent the state in the Apprentice of the Year category at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra in late November. It had not taken place at the time of publication. Thomas Jewellers closing all stores Thomas Jewellers, which was established by James Thomas in 1896, has confirmed the closure of its eight stores. According to a statement by The Thomas Group in October, the chain of Thomas Jewellers stores would cease trading in the upcoming months. The decision was said to allow the group to “refocus their attention to areas of strength and growth within their business”. The statement added that the regional store properties would be sold, while the Thomas family would retain the store in Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall, with a new tenant to be unveiled in 2018. As previously reported by Jeweller, Thomas Jewellers announced the closure of its Melbourne store in September 2017. A company statement at the time noted that the move was part of a business rebrand that would involve a focus on regional stores. + MORE BREAKING NEWS JEWELLERMAGAZINE.COM IN BRIEF * BEVILLES SHAKE-UP Indian company Tara Jewels will acquire a 49 per cent stake in Bevilles. The chain’s CEO, Michelle Stanton, said the Bevilles family would retain a 51 per cent stake and that the deal was expected to be finalised in the next 12 months. She added that the “strategic alliance” made between both companies in 2013 was always going to be converted into an “equity partnership” when the timing was right. * JAA FALSE STATEMENTS In October, the JAA released its Financial Statements for the year ended June 30, 2017. The report, prepared for the AGM on November 15, was error-ridden despite being approved by the board and signed off by directors. At the time of publication, the JAA had removed the Financial Statements from its website, stating: “Please note the 2016-2017 Financial Statements will be made available shortly.” * SUPPLIER HERALDS CHANGES Wedding ring supplier TWM Co has introduced a same-day order and return service for its ‘plain’ wedding ring range. According to TWM Co chief operating officer Roberto Ulas, the new offering was in response to the “next generation” of consumers demanding faster turnaround times. * APPRENTICE WINS TOP AWARD Georgia Piggott, a third year jewellery apprentice who works at Wallace Bishop’s head office in Brisbane, was recently awarded Southbank TAFE’s Jewellery Apprentice of the Year award and the Queensland state medal for the regional WorldSkills Australia competition. * YELLOW DIAMOND REVIVAL POZ Minerals has secured an agreement to commence operations at its diamond mine located adjacent to the former Ellendale mine, which closed in 2015. Bulk sampling and trial mining operations at the Blina Diamond Project are expected to begin next year. December 2017 Jeweller 9
Page 1 and 2: VOICE OF THE AUSTRALIAN JEWELLERY I
Page 3 and 4: WORLD SHINER PTY LTD Inspired Perfo
Page 5: RETAIL HAS CHANGED FOREVER, ADAPT N
Page 10: TOP PRODUCTS TOP PRODUCTS FOR 2017
Page 13 and 14: MARTIN RAPAPORT IMAGE COURTESY: PRO
Page 15 and 16: ® TONES & SILVER WHOLESALERS OF QU
Page 17 and 18: CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Defining the cu
Page 19 and 20: CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE core competenci
Page 21 and 22: NEW NORMAL Prospering in the New No
Page 23 and 24: NEW NORMAL increase. There will be
Page 25 and 26: NEW NORMAL however, it’s importan
Page 27 and 28: Andrés Gallardo Name: Pablo Limón
Page 29 and 30: Butani Name: Stefano Tordiglione Po
Page 31 and 32: Luxe by Hugh Rice Name: Lloyd Blake
Page 33 and 34: Brands do not appear from nothing,
Page 35 and 36: GEMSTONE FACETING faceting. I will
Page 37 and 38: When you open your eyes it’ll be
Page 39 and 40: BUSINESS THE MERITS OF A MORNING ME
Page 41 and 42: SELLING SELLING WHAT’S IN STOCK
Page 43 and 44: MARKETING & PR WAGING WAR: MARKETIN
Page 45 and 46: GEMS COLOUR INVESTIGATION: ZIRCON z
Page 47 and 48: CALENDAR 2018 TRADE SHOW CALENDAR N
Page 50 and 51: SOAPBOX MARGIN CALL I’ve been in
Page 52: MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US pms

Jeweller - December Issue 2017

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?