The organisers of Jewellery & Watch insist next year’s show will benefit from an increase in visitors and exhibitors, despite no longer having its own dedicated hall.
As part of Spring Fair’s first major edit in eight years, in 2020 Jewellery & Watch will relocate from its current location in Hall 18, to sit as a high-end jewellery sub sector within the Fashion Hall, which will be housed in Hall 1.
Jewellery & Watch event manager, Kirsty Broere, told WatchPro’s sister title Professional Jeweller that this is a “hugely exciting step in the right direction” for both Spring Fair and Jewellery & Watch.
She explains: “Jewellery & Watch will move to Hall 1 – a prime position that reiterates ITE Group’s investment in and commitment to jewellery as a product category, as well as Jewellery & Watch as a brand with all its specialist sector knowledge, history and connections.
“The 2020 transformation plan is accompanied by significant investment and opportunities for growth; only in Hall 1 can Jewellery & Watch expand both in terms of visitors and exhibitors. The show will benefit from new adjacencies, including Gift and Beauty & Wellbeing, as well as easier access to the train station and airport.”
The organisers continue to stress that exhibitors at Jewellery & Watch benefit from being exposed to both traditional jewellers, as well as home and gift buyers they may not have relationships with.
By being located in the Fashion Hall, the jewellery show’s organisers will be able to push this strength of the show even further and increase the benefits of jewellery and watch firms exhibiting during Spring Fair.
Broere explains: We’ve experienced an increased number of buyers from this sector accessing the Jewellery & Watch halls in recent years looking to diversify their shop offering. We are excited to push this even further and increase the benefits for our exhibitors, many of whom continue to rely on Jewellery & Watch as their most successful trade show of the year.”
Spring and Autumn Fair recently joined ITE Group plc as part of its acquisition of Ascential Events, and the 2020 overhaul forms part of the investment and renewed focus ITE promised.
It is believed the re-edit will provide a new look and feel; reinvigorating the way buyers source products and connect with exhibitors.
Broere concludes: “It is no secret that the global trade show market is facing challenges, especially in terms of market participation. Jewellery & Watch is all about starting the New Year on the right foot and offering the UK trade the chance to see what’s fresh. Whether you choose to catch-up on the post-Christmas sentiment, meet existing clients or find something new, Jewellery & Watch is all about starting the year positively and with purpose.”
