By Arta Ertekin
The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) announced that 92% of suppliers said sales values over the Christmas period were the same or better than in the previous year, despite the generally late sell-through before Christmas.
These very encouraging figures emerged from a survey sent to suppliers to the UK’s biggest buying group.
The CMJ said that the success was a result of efficient marketing and communication strategies.
CMJ chief executive Willie Hamilton said: “As well as at our twice yearly trade events, we bring suppliers and retailers together so that both sides can do better business in the UK’s high streets – at Christmas and throughout the rest of the year."
Citizen is one of the CMJ’s watch supplier members and UK managing director Mark Robinson said that the buying group had helped it to achieve a record year.
Robinson said: “Our CMJ partnership is extremely strong and our retailers recognise the investments levels Citizen is spending to develop the brand further. As one of the leading brands in the UK watch market, it is important we continually innovate and excite the consumer. We already have extensive plans in place for 2014 to propel the brand to new heights, and look forward to working with all our retail partners to achieve this”.
Anna Lee of watch brand Storm London, another CMJ member, said she believes the festive sales increase was the result of important research and analysis in each town, and to not to have too many stockists.
Lee said: “We prefer to work well with a good stockist as opposed to working with many stockists in each town. This strategy enables us to work much closer with our retailers and to actively support them with their efforts.”
The next CMJ trade event will take place on March 16 and 17 in Birmingham and exhibitor space at the show has already sold out.
