OroArezzo, the trade fair that promotes high-quality Italian gold jewellery production, witnessed positive trader sentiment on the show floor owing to an increase in international visitor participation. Held at the Arezzo Fiere e Congressi from May 5th to 8th, the second edition of OroArezzo organised by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) recorded a significant increase in international buyer attendance and reaffirmed the large number of visitors and exhibitors of the previous edition.
The post-show statistics of this edition of OroArezzo confirmed the organiser’s pre-show expectations: 15,000 visitors with a significant 5% increase in foreign traders (now representing 48% of the total) of which 450 were international buyers from 60 countries hosted with the support of the Ministry for Economic Development and ICE (Italian Trade Agency).
Visitors were presented with over 600 brands, mostly Italian, representing all the main Italian gold districts. Some 75% of the exhibitors were gold jewellery companies, 13% machinery producers, and 12% exhibited in the cash-and-carry area. Companies especially highlighted an increase in business meetings that ended positively, confirming the favourable climate and recovery after a particularly difficult period for the sector
“The show’s trend confirms the validity of the decision to unite Italian gold jewellery events under the single management of IEG. The group now represents almost all the Italian jewellery production chain and, from VicenzaOro to OroArezzo, from VicenzaOro Dubai (in a joint venture with Dubai World Trade Centre) up to the various events in partnership with the US and Asia, it is the one single trade show platform thus making the exhibition provider group the interlocutor of reference for the Italian jewellery industry in the world,” a statement read.
On the opening day, the role of the Arezzo district and Tuscany was affirmed with the participation of vice minister for infrastructure and transport, senator Riccardo Nencini, who outlined the policies to support the industry and ‘Made in Italy’ in his greetings.
The Premiere 2018 contest awarded 12 companies and assigned two special prizes to just as many historical companies. Beppe Angiolini, creative director of the show and honorary president of the Italian Chamber of Buyers, had decided to entitle this edition “The power of Love”. The various contending companies put themselves to the test in two categories linked to the bracelet: one dedicated to the gold/iron concept and the other to creativity devoted to the concept of love.
On the economic progress front, OroArezzo confirmed the reawakening moment. 2017 was a year of recovery and the first few months of 2018 confirmed and reinforced this trend. Based on findings, processed on Istat figures, published in January by IEG’s Business Strategy Department Gold-Jewellery Sector Observatory and confirmed in April, Italian exports recorded a 12% increase in value for fine and costume jewellery together (12.7% for precious metals alone, which also saw a 6% growth in quantity).
The sector’s total turnover index in 2017 grew by an average of 8.9% compared to 2016. Specifically: the average turnover index linked to domestic demand increased by 5.6%, while the average turnover index for foreign demand grew by 10.5%. Lastly, the average production index in 2017 increased by 15.6%.
On a worldwide scale, consumer trends in 2017 grew by 6%. This factor is attributed mainly to a recovery in consumption in India which was up by 32%. Excellent rates were also recorded in Russia (+14%), UAE (+10%) and the US (+3%). China, the second biggest destination country, however, registered a trend level of -6%, while drops were also documented in the UK (-14%), Egypt (-17%) and Saudi Arabia (-24%). In all the other nations monitored, demand for jewellery was substantially stable compared to 2016.