Viva Las Vegas
June 06, 04
The JCK Las Vegas Show kicked off in true style with the glamorous keynote speaker, Ivana Trump addressing a packed room of buyers and exhibitors all anxious to hear the words of wisdom from the style icon herself.
'Masstige’ - selling prestige to the mass market - was the word of the morning. While not many can afford to live the Trump lifestyle, Ivana noted that millions aspire to and it is this market, the aspiring mass market, that jewelry retailers should be focusing on.
The first day enjoyed a swarm of buyers from around the globe traipsing the halls (some finished, some not), with exhibitors noting heavy traffic. But as usual for the first day, the majority were window shopping, preferring to wait, compare prices, before placing orders.
Apart from a bomb scare, which according to show organizers was nothing more than a burst water pipe, the day was fairly uneventful. Buyers, gearing up for what is expected to be a strong 2004/5 season, have put a smile on many an exhibitors' face, especially those in the Hong Kong Pavilion, who enjoyed a particularly strong first day.
To sum the opening day up, it's price, price, price, big items at small prices.