The second annual Instore Show was held this week in Chicago. Dubbed the ‘Smart Jewelry Show’, its focus was providing learning and networking opportunities for retailers in the Midwest USA region. Participation was significantly increased from last year, with more than 541 booths exhibiting (28 percent more than last year), and a noteworthy retailer registration (attendee/buyer) of double the previous year.
The consensus was one of improvement. "This year was the best in several years,” said one large exhibitor of upscale branded diamond jewelry. "Last year the Instore Show displayed potential, but now it has shown a momentum that other shows don't have, and it is growing and improving dramatically," said the owner of the East Coast designer.
The upbeat feeling was echoed by other returning exhibitors: Elie Azar of Azar Jewelers (a Los Angeles-based third-generation jewelry manufacturer and diamond wholesaler) compared the favorable sentiment of last year to the even more encouraging signs shown at this year's Show: "The Show is even better than last year in all aspects, including foot traffic, level of interest, number of attendees and even orders".
For some, this was their first time attending the Chicago Show and they were not disappointed. "This is a very positive show; we will definitely exhibit again next year," said one large international manufacturer from New York, who pointed to the unique atmosphere and Midwest location as influencing the productivity of exhibitors and attendees alike: "This is a chance for us to reconnect with old customers in the region as well as to meet new ones in the Midwest which would not be possible otherwise," he said.
For those buyers who would not otherwise attend such a large convention as Las Vegas, this was an ideal opportunity to see diamantaires, jewelry manufacturers, designers and store display companies. For others, it was a precursor to Las Vegas and an opportunity to make plans, to determine the year's direction and to coordinate future trends.
