The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) has described "brisk trade" at its recent spring trade event, said to be its largest event to date.
The CMJ reports that more than 750 guests attended the two-day show in Birmingham, in which 132 brands exhibited.
A number of suppliers taking part in the show reported good sales, with many said to have exceeded their sales targets for the show.
Mark Robinson, managing director of Citizen Watches UK said: "This has been a fantastic show for us – one of the busiest CMJ Trade Events ever. We have opened quite a few new accounts – both with existing retail members and new ones to the CMJ, and have been really impressed with the number of retailers attending."
New brands exhibiting at the CMJ show for the first time included Caravelle New York, Elliot Brown watches and Wolf Designs.
CMJ chief executive Willie Hamilton said: “Our trade event is one of the largest gatherings of quality independent jewellery retailers in the UK. Joining us are the core suppliers of our industry. Our trade event is held as a not-for-profit event for the benefit of everyone who attends and we have had some fantastic feedback from both the two days of trading in the exhibition halls and from the entertainment and networking opportunities from our Sunday evening CMJ Fest event.”
For the first time at the trade event, the CMJ also hosted pre-show network meetings for both retailers and suppliers to supply information and statistics on the UK jewellery and watch market, the role of the CMJ and highlighting new members and new suppliers.
Retailer network meetings have been a regular fixture at the CMJ trade events, but this is the first time that a network event was held to encourage feedback from suppliers. Hamilton said: “So many of our suppliers have expressed their appreciation of the network meeting, saying they now feel that they have a much deeper understanding and partnership with the CMJ.”
