NJN: Buyers Serious at JA Special Delivery NY
October 26, 11(IDEX Online News) – The JA Special Delivery
“People are out to find a little something different for the holidays,” said Jodi McLoughlin, director of design and marketing for Thistle & Bee. She said everybody that came by their booth was a “serious buyer,” a trait also noted by Alan Levine of Bill Levine Diamond Jewelry.
McLoughlin said Thistle & Bee had a strong show and has had a strong year overall. “Our season has been really fantastic,” she said. “Our business is booming.”
April Scorcia, of World Trade Jewelers/Hershey’s Kiss Jewelry, said while they were selling a lot of their silver-and-diamond, or silver-and-cubic zirconia, Kiss-themed jewelry, they wrote a good-sized order for gold and diamond Kisses as well.
“I think there’s an uptick in diamond sales from the independent retailers,” she said. She said this may be due to the fact that fine materials, such as gold and diamonds, are not as readily available from other jewelry sellers, such as department stores, right now.
When consumers want gold and diamonds, they are turning to their local retailer jeweler.
“I just think they are waiting until the last minute,” she said. “I am encouraged. I think this season is going to be fine.”
At the booth for Amrapali, Abhi Kothari, head of
He said Amrapali, which is known for its high-end, red-carpet looks donned by celebrities including
“That is the future - to make it more mainstream,” Kothari said.
When Special Delivery opened on Sunday, it launched with new logo and signage designed to be cleaner and more open. The newly re-branded show attracted a diverse group of buyers from around the country, and around the world.
“There were solid orders written with jewelers from
Nielsen Jewelry Group Vice President Chris Casey added that the Special Delivery model continues to prove its value in the market. “We are seeing a solid 50-50 split between buyers placing orders versus immediate delivery. Both are helping our buyers fill their display cases efficiently for the holiday.”