Jeweller - March 2023

News
Industry gains momentum as Melbourne Jewellery Expo successfully kicks off year
Despite some unfortunate weather on the opening
day, the Australian jewellery industry’s overall
sentiment appears positive following the Melbourne
Jewellery Expo (MJE).
The three-day event closed after running alongside
the Gift & Lifestyle Melbourne event and despite
the unseasonable wet weather, Expertise Events
general manager Zac Fitz-Roy was happy after a
busy weekend of trading.
“[The feedback] has been overwhelmingly
positive, exhibitors have overall been pleasantly
surprised with the on-site results, and with
orders predicted to flow for the coming weeks,
the results are looking strong. This year is
about the face-to-face contact and building and
maintaining relationships, it’s not always about
what is written on the day,” he explained.
“Buyers have found the event to be easily
accessible, in the heart of the city, and with a crosssection
of products that makes it worth the trip –
particularly for those in regional centres. Also given
some of the weather patterns the MCEC provides
undercover parking - these days that’s important!”
The Melbourne fair began in 2021 – during the
pandemic - and an important factor in its return
this year was the support of three of Australia’s four
major buying groups, with Nationwide Jewellers,
the Independent Jewellers Collective (IJC) and
Leading Edge Jewellers each running members
events at the Expo.
Fitz-Roy said it was great to see the buying groups
offering activities on the floor for all three days in
order to support members and suppliers.
Nationwide Jewellers managing director
Colin Pocklington told Jeweller that the MJE
presented an important opportunity to meet
with Victoria’s members.
“We are very happy with how the Expo has unfolded.
Foot traffic was much stronger on the Saturday
compared with the Sunday,” he said.
“With an organisation such as ours, you can’t
replace the value of working in-person with your
members. Jewellers are busy people! Many of
them work long hours managing their stores
while many others still work on the bench too,
completing orders.”
He continued: “Our members are always
preoccupied with the day-to-day of their
businesses and so we always do whatever we
can to make the most of these kinds of events
because you can always offer so much more
value to someone working face-to-face than you
could ever hope to offer with an email.”
Fitz-Roy added, “If anything the buying onsite has
been particularly encouraging. I think it’s also
important to note our role is to deliver and reach
the broadest range of retailers as possible.
“Being co-located with giftware as we have done
since 2021 means it’s convenient for country
retailers in particular.”
Something new for IJC
For Australia’s youngest group – the IJC – the
event marked an opportunity to introduce the wider
industry to the Gift and Homeware Collective, a new
buying group launched by CEO Josh Zarb.
“It’s been a really successful weekend – for us
taking part in this trade show was a no-brainer,”
he said. “Considering we’ve just launched the
gift group and we’ve got the jewellery fair taking
place under the same roof – it really was a onestop
shop.”
“I didn’t really set any firm expectations heading
into the event. On the jewellery industry side of
things, I knew who was going to be attending and
who I’d have the chance to speak with. From the
perspective of the giftware buying group, it was a
chance to gauge what the level of awareness was
and in that regard, I think it was even better than
what I was hoping for.”
Zarb added: “People have been very
understanding and engaged and enthusiastic
which is really good. We held two talks and that
was a great chance to bring people we’ve met
out on the floor around for a presentation that
really summarises what it is we are offering.”
Exhibitors
Sydney-based Greenwax offers computer-assisted
design to complete custom-made jewellery. The
company also recently partnered with Smartpro
and offers diamond testing equipment.
On offer was the chance to trial a new wireless
diamond testing device, which is able to
differentiate between lab-created diamonds,
moissanite, and diamonds in a matter of seconds.
Greenwax sales consultant Zvi Charlupski said, “I’m
very happy with how this fair has been. My intention
in coming here was to connect with some new
Victorian customers and I’ve done exactly that –
so what more could I ask for?
Gerrim International co-director Gerri Maunder
made the journey from Queensland to participate
in the MJE and said she was pleased with the
reception towards her products.
“It was much busier on Sunday than on Saturday
for us. We’ve had really positive feedback on our
products which we always do – Gerrim is always
very popular,” she said.
“We’ve had the chance to showcase our products
which is good and spent some time with our
regular clients which is important.”
Moving forward
From here the attention of the industry turns to the
Australian Jewellery Fair (AJF), taking place at the
International Convention Centre in Sydney’s Darling
Habour on 18-19 March.
The 2022 edition of the AJF was a sellout, much like
the MJE, and Fitz-Roy said that he hopes the event
would be able to build on the momentum of the
past year’s event.
“There is a lot of positivity in the market despite
general public concerns about the economy, and
anticipation is building as a result for the Australian
Jewellery Fair in March,” Fitz-Roy said.
“That meeting will give Sydney retailers the
crucial opportunity to come and restock after
Valentine’s Day and ahead of Mother’s Day.”
He continued: “I think despite what the
concerns about what may lay ahead people
are increasingly recognising that face-to-face
communication is crucial in this trade.
“For that reason, we are pleased to have not
only our March show coming soon, as well as
Australia’s original and number one event in
August – the International Jewellery Fair (IJF).”
The IJF is scheduled to take place 19-21 August.