Jeweller - November 2020

10 Years Ago
Time Machine: November 2010
A snapshot of the industry events making headlines this time 10 years ago in Jeweller.
Historic Headlines
4 Swarovski raises bar for Sydney store
4 Diamond Exchange challenges JAA
4 Cash for gold exposé implicates jewellers
4 Peekays founder passes away
4 Michael Hill hunts for ‘best couple’
Luxury jewellers urged to
consider ethics
Luxury jewellers are being urged to respond to an
emerging consumer social conscientiousness in
order to secure commercial success.
Jonathan Kendall, president of the World Jewellery
Confederation (CIBJO)’s market and education
commission, wrote in a recent report that the
Global Financial Crisis had prompted customers to
rethink their purchasing decisions.
“Customer awareness and concern for social,
ethical, and environmental issues also underpin
a desire for their purchases to provide a lasting,
meaningful experience. Innovative product
concepts, luxury recycling, accessible supply
chain information and a visible celebration
of craftsmanship will appeal to tomorrow’s
customer,” Kendall explained.
Employment rules push
jeweller to sell store
Confusion over the new Modern Award rules
has forced a Tasmanian jeweller to put one of
his two stores on the market.
Following Jeweller’s revelation that retail
jewellers were struggling to understand the new
employment Acts, which came into effect on 1
January 2010, it has emerged that a jeweller has
decided he would be better off closing his threeyear-old
store in Deloraine altogether.
Tim Haab told Jeweller that he was fearful
because “the small changes in the awards have
resulted in me bearing a higher liability”.
November 2010
ON THE COVER Protea Diamonds
Editors’ Desk
4The Wisdom Of Marx: “My view is that
an industry association should consist
of industry members not the people
who provide products or services to that
industry. JAA membership should be
restricted to two channels – suppliers of
product or services to jewellery retailers,
and those who retail that product or
service to consumers.
It’s a little like Grouch Marx’s famous
line, ‘I refuse to join any club that would
have me as a member’.”
Soapbox
4Where Is The Love?: “In a high-end
jewellery store, every piece tells an
individual story of the owner. But the
jewellery also reflects the customer,
because we create something unique,
with materials that are being used
specifically for the creation of that item,
in close consultation [with them].
Fine jewellers must fight against the
commodification of jewellery, before
we get to a point where every sale
comes down to price.”
– Michael Neuman, co-owner Mondial
Neuman Jewellers
STILL RELEVANT 10 YEARS ON
First Impressions Count:
“Before a customer examines your
gemstones, compliments your modern
jewellery design, or admires the quality
of your pieces, they are going to see your
store’s displays... Unfortunately, most
Australian retailers choose conservative
over innovative.”
Showcase moves into
New Zealand
Showcase Jewellers, one of Australia’s
top jewellery buying groups, has entered
New Zealand by merging with local buying
group Gemtime Jewellers after 12 months
of negotiation.
An agreement to merge Showcase with the
30-year-old Kiwi buying group was announced
during the JWNZ trade fair. Gemtime
chief exectuive Peter Alexander said, “The
merger will allow Showcase and Gemtime
to collaborate and create a leader in buying
and marketing power for Australian and New
Zealand independent jewellers.”
‘Offline’ jewellers missing
a trick
Only 36 per cent of Australian retailers own
a website, according to a recent MYOB survey,
showing there is still a long way to go before
the industry fully recognises the power of
the internet.
MYOB general manager Julian Smith said the
survey found a direct correlation between a
business’ web usage and its profitability.
Across the Tasman, internet take up is greater,
with 48 per cent of Kiwi retailers owning a
website. Smith attributed this to the size of
the local market, saying, “Kiwi retailers have
to think more creatively about how to market
their products.”
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JEWELLERMAGAZINE.COM
34 | November 2020