IJL 2006 kicked off well

IJL 2006 jewellery show got under way in London on September 3, celebrating its 50th anniversary with a new look and an extra publicity effort launched by Reed Exhibitions, UK, the organizers. This year the show has been completely sold out and has over 700 exhibitors (190 being first-timers) from the UK and 25 other countries including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong � which has an exclusive pavilion � Israel, the US, Thailand, South Africa, the European sector comprising Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Denmark, Austria and five Indian exhibitors.

Visitor traffic on the opening day was heavy in morning (there was a long entry queue for a couple of hours) but slowed to moderate by afternoon. Being a Sunday, most were retailers. According to the show management, the total footfall count at the end of the day was 3,000. They estimate a total of 8,000 visitors by Day 4.

The Indian exhibitors reported being kept busy by local retailers though they said there were no major buyers. They have quite high expectations from the show as the UK market seems to have just picked recently.