THE Mideast Watch & Jewellery Show, held recently at Expo Centre Sharjah, witnessed a bulk-buying spree triggered by low gold prices and new product launches for the upcoming festive season, according to exhibitors who took part in the show.

The drop in gold prices had a twin effect – while jewellery lovers could buy more on the dip, participating retailers achieved much higher sales volumes, making the Mideast Watch & Jewellery Show, October 1 to 5, the most happening event of its kind in the entire region.

“Jewellery lovers never had it so good. The Mideast Watch & Jewellery Show once again lived up to its expectations as the most popular event of its kind in the region,” said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah. Gold fell 23 per cent in 2013. The price was hovering around $1,320 an ounce during the show, the organisers pointed out.

“The drop in gold prices helped us very much this year. It has benefited our business in a big way and our customers too were happy since they could take home more jewellery,” said Kapil Jain, sales manager, Su-Raj  Inter Gold.

MANY EXHIBITORS

Held under the patronage of HH Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the 35th Mideast Watch & Jewellery Show featured more than 450 exhibitors from across the world occupying 20,000 sq m of exhibition space and attracted more than 55,000 visitors.

Most of the exhibitors were satisfied with the quality of visitors this time, said the organisers. Usually trade buyers purchase in bulk but this time around general buyers were also seen buying in bulk.

Visitors were also swayed by the fact that most of the jewellery trends are set by new products launched during the show. “We took advantage of the event to exhibit new products such as fashionable pieces and wedding sets as they were sure to become soon the latest trends in the market,” said Ibrahim Hanna, managing partner, Hanna Jewelry.

The addition of the new hall at Expo Centre Sharjah was well appreciated. “The show this year was better organised, especially with new arrangements done in the new Hall No 5. This helped in better regulating visitor traffic,” Expo Centre Sharjah quoted Atchara Mahatchavaroj, project manager, Vichit Sind Jewelry Manufacturer from Thailand, as saying.

National pavilions, the Italian Art Pavilion and the Thailand pavilion added to the attraction, apart from raffle draws that gave away daily prizes to lucky shoppers.