RAPAPORT... Jewelry sales increased globally in the second quarter,
according to market research released by Russian miner Alrosa.
The average global growth rate was 5% year on year, led by
sales in Asia Pacific, which jumped 17% over the same period last year, it said Wednesday. The
region’s growth was driven by higher demand in China, and increased tourist
traffic in Hong Kong and Macau.
Sales in North America rose 5%, while those in Japan went up
3%.
Jewelry sales in India decreased during the second quarter, as retailers focus on restoring the country’s reputation in the
jewelry industry after several recent scandals, Alrosa noted. The new goods and services tax
(GST), which went into effect in July 2017, also hurt sales.
Larger Indian retailers are taking market share from their smaller competitors, noted Dmitry Klimenko, head of Alrosa’s analytics
department.
“Nevertheless, despite all of the major players’ efforts, most
sales are still [carried out] by smaller retailers,” Klimenko said.
Image: Shoppers buying jewelry. (Shutterstock)
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