Emmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
In Basel, the shows are about to begin
The trees are in early bloom, the white asparagus is coming in and the small Swiss town of Basel is buzzing once again for the annual Baselworld trade show, which has some company this year.
Basel--The trees are in early bloom, the white asparagus is coming in and the small Swiss town of Basel is buzzing once again for the annual Baselworld trade show, which has some company this year.
Baselworld is considered one of the world’s preeminent shows for watch brands, particularly Swiss- made brands, to display their new collections and latest movement innovations.
In an interview with National Jeweler following a pre-show press conference held Wednesday, Baselworld Managing Director Sylvia Ritter said Baselworld has approximately 1,400 exhibitors displaying a total of 1,500 brands this year, “about the same” as it had in 2013.
Last year, the Swiss trade show underwent a $454.9 million makeover that left it with a smaller but more modern space and 24 percent fewer exhibitors as compared with 2012. Show organizers said they were emphasizing “quality over quantity,” and reiterated the same as the 2014 show opened.
“We really tried to stabilize the number of exhibitors,” Ritter said Wednesday.
RELATED CONTENT: After $455M makeover, Baselworld to begin
While it is still a major event in the industry, particularly as a showcase for the latest Swiss-made mechanical watches, Baselworld is not the only show in town this year.
The Rapaport Group is hosting its first trade show in the Swiss city, the Diamond Show, which is taking place Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday at the Markthalle building, located near Basel’s SBB train station not far from Baselworld. (The show is closed Saturday for religious observances.)
The Diamond Show is open to the jewelry trade, private investors and collectors, and includes polished stones from 60 manufacturers and dealers as well as a special salon for fancy color diamonds.
RELATED CONENT: Rapaport to host diamond trade show in Basel
In nearby Freiburg, Germany, there is another first: UBM Asia is hosting its inaugural European show, the European Jewellery & Gem Fair. Freiburg is 30 minutes from Basel, and show organizers are providing shuttle bus service between the two cities throughout the fair, which starts Monday and runs for four days.
As Baselworld prepared to open Wednesday, show organizers shared 2013 export data for the Swiss watch industry as a whole, which has seen demand flatline following the massive year-over-year gains posted in 2011 and 2012, as the industry recovered from the global recession.
In 2013, Swiss watch exports increased 2 percent year-over-year in value terms, from CHF 21.4
Demand dropped in both Hong Kong and China--markets, show organizers emphasized during Wednesday’s press conference, that will play a major role in the future of the Swiss watch industry--but was up slightly in the United States, rising 2 percent year-over-year.
Asia is the Swiss watch industry’s largest market by far, gobbling up 52 percent of exports in 2013, compared with 31 percent by Europe and 14 percent in the Americas.
The week-long Baselworld show begins Thursday in Switzerland.
The Latest
Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
Ruser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
The money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
From now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
The Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
The 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
NDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
B&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
It’s ultra-feminine and filled with gold, pearls, and soft pastels.
Emily Highet Morgan and Emily Bennett have joined the agency’s team.
Its updated book for mountings is also now available.
She has been with the organization since 2010, most recently serving as its chief officer of PR and industry relations.
Joyce’s Jewelry sued the bank after cybercriminals drained its accounts of nearly $1.6 million through a series of wire transfers.
He is remembered by loved ones for his loyalty, integrity, and kindness.