Hong Kong Shows Lose a Little Luster

HONG KONG—Along aisles filled with diamond necklaces, emerald earrings and sapphire pendants from all over the world, there were plenty of people perusing the wares at the Hong Kong Intl. Jewellry Show, held March 4-8 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

At AsiaWorld-Expo, where Asia’s Fashion Jewellry & Accessories Fair was held March 4-7, there also were buyers walking around checking out the latest styles in costume jewelry made from materials such as stones, metal, wood and other goods.

Even though both shows saw just small drops in attendance – the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s H.K Jewellry Show drew 30,000 buyers this year, compared with 31,000 last year, and CMP Asia’s Fashion Jewellry Fair drew 3,599 attendees this year, compared with 4,326 last year – exhibitors said buyers were keeping a tight hold on their money and being extra-conservative with their orders.

Exhibitors Sarkis and Michael Hajar, who run Hong Kong and New York-based Balpearl, said their family has been coming to the H.K. Jewellry Show for 20 years, and, with two booths at this year’s event, 70 percent of the company’s sales are derived from this, and other, tradeshows they participate in.

“There is activity here, and there are crowds, but they’re not buying as much,” Sarkis Hajar said. “This year, everyone is worried.”

Michael Hajar added, “Tradeshows are hit or miss, that’s always part of it; though, the invoices are a lot smaller at this show.”

Another exhibitor, Micaela Bruce, manager of the jewelry division for Superior Spa based in Vincenza, Italy, agreed and said, “There is movement. People are asking about products. They are interested, but not buying.”

Bulent Gezer, who owns a retail jewelry store named Gezer in Istanbul, Turkey, said he has been to the show at least six times and usually places significant orders. “This year, I’m buying just a little,” Gezer added. “The economy is not good.”

In fact, he said, even if he did intend to buy more, he didn’t see a lot of new designs at the show. “(The exhibitors) think there won’t be good business, so they don’t work too hard with designs,” Gezer added.

Across town near the Hong Kong Intl. Airport, Asia’s Fashion Jewellry Fair exhibitors were faring slightly better in the sales department, partly because the products had a much lower price point than the ones at the HKCEC.

Exhibitor Yoni Yasumato, manager of Melbourne, Australia-based Feeling Inspired, said her company was participating in the March show – CMP Asia also has shows in June and September – for the second year.

“The show’s good,” Yasumato said. “We’ve had a good response from buyers around the world. There are fewer people walking around, but we’re still making sales.”

Attendee Boris Bystrisky, a wholesaler for Los Angeles-based Gold LLC, said he noticed that, while the show looked a little bigger, it “wasn’t terribly busy.” Even so, Bystrisky said he was there on a mission to buy as many men’s products as he could find for the store back in California. “I’m not being conservative at all,” he added. “If it’s the right product, it will sell. Selling is the easy part.”

In all, organizers of both shows seemed pleased with the turnout, especially in light of the global economic downturn. “The traffic is slower, but the response from exhibitors has been positive,” said Celine Lau, director of CMP Asia’s Jewellry Fairs.

Raymond Yip, HKTDC’s assistant executive director, said of the H.K. Jewellry Show, “The good news in this gloom and doom is the show continues to grow.” The number of exhibitors grew from 2,036 spanning 67,000 square meters (721,182 square feet) last year to 2,360 exhibitors spanning 69,000 sq. m. (742,709 sq. ft.) at this year’s show.

“We fill every square inch of this facility,” Yip said.