"Club degli Orafi Italia" and "SDA Bocconi" together for the 5th Jewellery Forum

At the event - which is organized every second year by the "Club degli Orafi" in cooperation with the "SDA Bocconi" - participated various exponents from the political world, from Associations, entrepreneurs and representatives from the jewellery sector.

The debate has confirmed that the international jewellery market is in the middle of deep changes characterized by the entrance of new competitors and the creation of new distribution formulas dictated by the globalisation of the markets. In this scenery the Italian Jewellery is trying to get out of the recent years stagnation.

The report from the Italian jewellery sector - signed by the "Club degli Orafi Italia" and the "Servizio Studi of Intesa Sanpaolo Bank" - showed for the first semester 2007 that "Made in Italy" jewellery has recorded an export growth by 6,9%. A sharp look at the analysis reveals a good penetration in the United Arab Emirate markets (44,7%) , the Swiss market (23,4%), the Hong Kong market (28,1%) and above all the Russian market (94,1%) which is becoming one of the most important commercial destinations. Even the German market after years of downturn, is positive (36,9%), but the American market is in decrease (-20,7%) and this loss does not compensate the positive results gained elsewhere. The strong euro compared to the dollar and high prices of raw material are continuing to penalize the Italian companies which account in the first semester 2007 for a slowdown of turnover of 0,1% compared to 2006.

"Italian jewellery companies, even if with some difficulties, manage to grow despite the international competition, thanks to product quality, design and being able to gain trust from consumers and trade alike. The trend of a sector and its ability to withstand competition are strongly influenced by the sentiment of trust - acknowledged Françoise Izaute, President of "Club degli Orafi Italia"- The considerations that determine the choice of a store and of the product by a customer are not only concerned by a matter of convenience: other variables come at play, less rational ones, among others trust. The Italian jewel, thanks to its history, represents - from its start and today more than ever - a model of trust: it's a set of values comprising tradition, research, craftsmen's quality, authenticity, innovation and originality of design; all this makes a difference with the products of competitors from other countries. And the consumer is more and more aware of this."

About trust at the consumer side, at the round table in the afternoon, a discussion was held through the analysis of success stories by: Tawid Abdullah, CEO of Damas, Gérald Berclaz, member of the Board of Mayors Inc. Birks USA, Giovanni Burani, Managing Director Mariella Burani Fashion Group, James Courage, CEO Platinum Guild International, Matteo Marzotto, President Valentino Spa and Licia Mattioli, Managing Director Antica Ditta Marchisio.

At the centre of the debate also the relation between industry and distribution, analysed in the book "Miti da sfatare nel gioiello. Le relazioni tra industria e distribuzione in Italia e nel mondo" ("Jewel Myths to discredit. Relations between industry and distribution in Italy and in the world") (Egea, 2007), introduced during this event and written by Luana Carcano, Antonio Catalani and Paola Varacca Capello of SDA Bocconi, in cooperation with Club degli Orafi Italia.

"The jewellery sector, that claims an historically solid strength, is today in need of support from the institutions and of a positive trusting mood - said Guido Corbetta, vice chancellor of Bocconi University - The relation between industry and distribution represents the cornerstone of the manufacturing and distribution chain and it is therefore necessary to develop new competitive strategies for vertical integration throughout this chain. In the 5th Jewellery Forum these issues have all been thoroughly investigated, focussing on a positive contribution for the Italian Jewellery world, giving support through adequate tools as to face all changes taking place in the present-time."

The Vice-Chancellor Guido Corbetta of Bocconi University and the President of Club degli Orafi Italia Françoise Izaute have delivered the final address.

The 5th Jewellery Forum was held with the cooperation of Vicenza Fair and the patronage of ICE, with the help of Un Diamante è per sempre and Securpol, and with the technical support of Ferrari Spumante, Acqua Surgiva, noname idea.