May 2008

TheWDN to host Rapaport, raffle

TheWDN to entertainer Rapaport, raffle
May 13, 2008

Davie, Fla.—The Watch Dealers Network (TheWDN), the online business-to-business watch marketplace, will host a cocktail reception for the time of Las Vegas market week that will feature special guest Martin Rapaport of Rapaport Price List fame.

The event, intended for those interested in joining TheWDN, will take place on May 26 following the International Watch and Jewelry Guild show. The two-hour reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., and will be held at the Gold Coast Hotel Showroom.

Also during market week, TheWDN will host a drawing during a Cartier watch and a laptop computer for jewelry retailers and others who visit the network’s booth at the JCK show. The booth (24071) will be located in the Hall of Time, and visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the online network, which allows watch dealers and retailers a place to buy and sell vintage and new watches.

TheWDN is a closed, international network, and only qualified persons in the trade are allowed access to the site.

by reason of more information about TheWDN and its events, call (877) 5-THEWDN or visit the network online at Thewdn.com.

Antiquorum auctions ‘biggest watch collection’

Antiquorum auctions ‘biggest watch collection’
May 13, 2008

Geneva—An Antiquorum auction held earlier this week in Geneva is being touted by means of the auction house as the sale of the biggest collection of modern wristwatches ever assembled.

Titled “The Collection of a European Nobleman,” the catalog included 705 lots representing brands such as A. Lange and Sohne, F.P. Journe, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, among many notable others.

The May 11 auction realized sales of 88 percent by lot and 112 percent by value, with F.P. Journe’s “Grande et Petite Sonnerie—Répétition Minutes” (lot 705) selling for the impressive price of CHF 509,400 (about $485,000).

Other highlights included Jaeger-LeCoultre’s “Gyrotourbillon 1″ No. 32/75 (lot 75), produced as only 20 pieces per year beginning in 2005 and selling for CHF 415,000 (about $395,000); Vacheron Contantin’s “Saint-Gervais” No. 15/55 (lot 74), also selling for CHF 415,000 (about $395,000); and Patek Philippe’s “10 Days Tourbillon” (division 52), which sold for CHF 247,440 (about $236,000). Rounding out the top five was A. Lange and Sohne’s “Lange 1 Tourbillon” No. 71/150 (lot 53), selling for CHF 173,100 (about $165,000).

The sale was held at Geneva’s Le Richemond hotel, where collectors in the room competed over against a record high of more than 500 registered online bidders, plus an exceptional amount of telephone bidders, the auction house said in a media release. According to Antiquorum, 36 percent of the lots were sold online.

Strong international participation came from Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain and the United States.

“The enthusiasm generated by this sale was proof that the collectors who carefully horsemanship their watch portfolio are rewarded at auction,” auctioneer Julien Schaerer said in the release. “Dominated by this tendency, Lange and Sohne, Patek Philippe and F.P. Journe brought solid results on par by the strength still present on the watch emporium.”

Antiquorum’s next cant, “Important Collectors’ Watches, Pocket Watches and Clocks,” will take place on June 7 in Hong Kong.

NRF: Retail sales resilient in April

NRF: Retail sales resilient in April
May 13, 2008
_{Largest sales increase since November 2007}

Washington, D.C.—Retail industry sales for April, excluding automobiles, gas stations and restaurants, increased 2.3 percent unadjusted over last year and 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from March, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).

April deal out in small portions sales released today by the U.S. Commerce Department show total retail sales (including non-general-merchandise categories such as automobiles, gas stations and restaurants) increased 2.6 percent unadjusted over last year and decreased 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted from March.

“While it’s apparent that consumers are still holding back, the spring season helped get people hindmost into stores,” NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells said in a media release issued this morning. “The month-to-month sales increase was the largest we’ve seen since last November, a much welcomed reprieve.”

Health and beauty care stores experienced the largest growth, through sales increasing 3.1 percent unadjusted year-over-year and 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted from March.

Springlike weather in much of the country helped building material, garden equipment and supply stores see sales increases for the first time in months. Sales increased 1.2 percent unadjusted over last year and 1.9 percent seasonally adjusted from March.

Sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores also saw healthy sales increases. Sales increased 4.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year and 0.4 percent seasonally adjusted from March.

Meanwhile, sales at electronics and appliance stores increased 5.1 percent unadjusted over last year and 1.4 percent seasonally adjusted from March. Sales at clothing and clothing accessories stores increased 0.5 percent unadjusted over last year and 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted from March.

The NRF is the largest retail trade association in the world, with members including department, discount, drug, grocery, independent and specialty stores, catalog merchants, restrain restaurants and e-tailers, as well as the industry’s key trading partners of retail goods and services.

For more information about the NRF, visit its Web site, NRF.com.

Saks’ jewelry sales wow over holidays

Saks’ jewelry sales wow over holidays
May 13, 2008

Jennifer DeWinter, more advanced vice president and general merchandise manager of fine jewelry and accessories at Saks Fifth Avenue.

By Mary Wisniewski

New York—In a holiday season marred by disappointing sales, Saks Fifth Avenue was among the few to prosper.

For the two-month holiday selling period ended Jan. 5, Saks’ same-store sales increased 10.2 percent, while total sales increased 10.6 percent to $795.3 million. No specific figures were given for jewelry, but it outpaced the 9 percent rise in same-store sales for the fourth quarter, a spokesperson said.

Jennifer DeWinter, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of fine jewelry and accessories at Saks Fifth Avenue, credits the holiday success to the retailer’s aggressive strategy of selecting and securing key designers and then offering the right names in the right geographic markets.

“Saks always pursues as many exclusives as possible, and this celebration season we have been very successful,” DeWinter says. “We have a of brilliant parts merchandise team that works closely with our store management team to ensure in that place are appropriate stock levels and the right assortments.”

“Ballon Bleu de Cartier” watch in the extensive model with stainless steel and yellow gold; suggested retail price is $7,900. Sold at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Saks has also experienced a dramatic increase in the number of large-transaction sales and strong growth in the top extreme point of the market, she adds.

Not surprisingly, DeWinter says Saks’ retail clients are drawn to the greatest part coveted brands—both newer brands and iconic ones such as Cartier, Chopard and Chanel. The chain’s exclusive agreement with high-end diamond brand Graff did origin over.

“[Graff’s] good fortune at Saks is a further indication of increase in the large-transaction sales,” DeWinter says.

In stipulations of marketing, DeWinter says Saks tailors its material to the different market segments.

For example, one fine-jewelry catalog is designated for high-end clientele and another for its best ready-to-wear clients. For Mother’s Day, Saks sends out a direct-mail catalog focusing on products in more accessible price points.

Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the May 1, 2008 issue of National Jeweler.

MJWA elects Gordon president

MJWA elects Gordon president
May 13, 2008

Springfield, Mo.—Dale Gordon of Gordon Jewelers in Boonville, Mo., was elected president of the Missouri Jewelers and Watchmakers Association (MJWA) at the group’s annual convention last month.

Gordon succeeds Leo Anglo of Vincent’s Jewelers in Creve Coeur, Mo., who concluded his two-year term at the convention.

“It is truly an honor to be elected to this prestigious office,” Gordon said in a media release. “I look forward to working with the MJWA board of directors to help our members survive and thrive in this difficult time.”

Also elected to the MJWA board of directors were: Stacey Stauch, Crews Jewelry, Grandview, Mo., first vice president; Melody Farnen, Melody’s Quality Jewelers, Mexico, Mo., second vice president; and Paul Dodds, Paul Dodds Jewelry, Lee’s Summit, Mo., treasurer.

During the MJWA’s assembly dinner, the association honored Sharon Blair on her 25th anniversary as the group’s executive director.

Jewelers of America (JA) Vice President David Lafleur called Blair “a tremendous resource to jewelers everywhere Missouri, and a wonderful and supportive colleague to her peers in other JA affiliates around the country.”

Founded in 1906, the MJWA is among the oldest state associations of jewelry professionals in the United States. For more information about the association, call (913) 661-0084 or visit its Web site, Missourijewelers.org.