Houlden Spring Meeting Mood Reflects Members Positive Business Outlook for Year Ahead
16 Feb 2023
Designed to provide both inspiration and insights into the challenges and issues facing retailers in the year ahead, Houlden members came together in London for the annual three-day Spring meeting last week.
The occasion was marked by an information packed agenda aimed to provide members with expert knowledge on topics ranging from the economic outlook for the year ahead to sustainability, whilst providing a much-welcomed opportunity to connect and share ideas and best practice.
Following on from the Directors Meeting on the first day, the second day featured two expert speakers providing invaluable insights – the behavioural economist, Roger Martin-Fagg, presented his views on the challenges and economic scenarios facing businesses currently and in the future. Followed by Jack Stratten, Head of Trends for Insider Trends, a retail trend agency helping some of the world’s biggest retail brands spot what’s coming next, sharing his views on the changing face of retail and the future role and increasing value of the store within a brand’s offering.
Christina Hewitt of G Hewitt & Son commented,
“The keynote speakers were both engaging and understandable, and even if things aren’t specific to your store, you can take things from the talks to put into practice. So overall we left with ideas and feeling positive for the year ahead”.
Underlined further by Mandy Sargent of R L Austen, who said,
“The speakers were particularly good, they spoke very well and confirmed what we wanted to know. Connecting with the Houlden Members and being able to have those open and honest conversations about what works and what doesn’t work always makes it relatable to each of us”.
The subject of the importance of sustainability and social responsibility for both Members and Suppliers was also the focus for much debate. This looked at how Houlden members especially - as market leaders within both the grassroots community and the wider industry - can best achieve Carbon Neutral status and meet the consumer’s increasing expectations and demands.
As part of this, two thought provoking workshops were held in the afternoon covering,
“Taking Greater Responsibility” and “Laboratory Grown Diamonds: Risks and Machines”.
All of which fuelled lively debate between members and suppliers, through the exchange of ideas, strategies for growth and the sharing of opportunities and lessons learnt.
Reflected in a comment by Barry McCahon of Lunn’s,
“Houlden is in good hands. The team are exceptional at what they do, and they always deliver top class speakers, all experts in their fields. I particularly enjoyed the workshop on Laboratory Grown Diamonds as it is great to learn a bit more and get updates about an area of the industry that is moving so fast”.
In addition, for the first time, a special meeting was held for Suppliers to look at how best to strengthen the partnership and work together to provide a first-class business environment.
Image: Houlden Spring Event Feb 23 Members Meeting
The highlight of the third day was the Houlden Supplier Exhibition showcasing 51 renowned UK and international suppliers providing an excellent opportunity to forge new business connections, see new collections for the first time and open new accounts.
Chloe Spencer, Sales Director of Wolf, stated,
“It’s great to have all the luxury retail community all in one place together. We have been exhibiting for 8 years and this year we wanted to demonstrate our commitment to innovation ahead of celebrating our 190th anniversary in 2024”.
David Aminoff, Director of Matt Aminoff, added,
“We have been coming for 20 years and, as in previous years, we have had a very positive show introducing new trends and designs in fine cultured pearls to some of the top independents in the UK”.
Reiterated by Eric Alulis of CLIQ Jewellery,
“As a first-time exhibitor we have found the experience very rewarding. Our jewellery is all about interactive technology, so it’s much more about customers being able to experience the pieces than selling. We are glad to be part of the Houlden Family!”
Scott West, Executive Vice President of L J Diamonds also said,
“Houlden has provided us with an excellent foothold into the rest of Europe through its excellent network of independents”.
A comment echoed by Gareth Thomas, Business Development Director for Brown & Newirth,
“We have had another very positive show and there has been tremendous interest and support for our new Eternity Ring Collection with all new profiles which we developed exclusively with Houlden members. It’s our biggest launch in this category in the last ten years and the collection’s luxurious feel is a perfect match for this group of pre-eminent jewellers from around the UK and Ireland”.
Image: Houlden Spring event Feb 23 Suppliers' room
Concluding, Kevin Jenkinson, Sales Director of Hockley Mint, said,
“The combination of excellent meeting content and good networking opportunities has made this year’s meeting especially successful for us. It’s the perfect show for us, especially as now that we are an employee-owned trust we have an even bigger story to tell”.
With Mark Conway, Michael Jones Jewellers, adding a member’s view: “Leaving the event very positive about the year ahead in the industry. Houlden have connected the Members with some great new Suppliers who have product that will add differentiation to our current offering, so we are hopeful for a really good year business wise”.
Christina Hewitt, G Hewitt & Son, added,
“The encouragement from Houlden to connect with Supplier Partners at this event has really opened our eyes to companies we hadn’t dealt with previously, so I think that’s been enlightening for us”.
One over-riding theme reflected throughout the event was the dynamic and unifying role of the Houlden Advantage – designed to deliver a range of exceptional services and skill sets to help equip members to remain at the forefront of the industry in these challenging times. Like the Jewellers of Excellence Training Academy, designed to delivery a holistic training programme that individually would be challenging to offer on an individual member basis.
Helen Haddow, Houlden Chief Executive, observed,
“The Houlden Advantage comes into its own at times like these, giving members not only access to the latest knowledge and best practice but also providing them with all the benefits of close connectivity and being part of an exclusive close-knit community.
The feedback from the meeting from members and suppliers alike has reaffirmed the advantages and strength of being part of a like-minded Group, all facing and sharing the same business issues and concerns”.
This was reflected by Martin Costello, Murphy Jewellers: “I picked up lots of new ideas at the Members Meeting, and now have some new avenues to explore. Teaming that with selecting some great new products at the exhibition means that I am a very happy Houlden Member”.
The Autumn Members meeting and exhibition will take place from September 18 – 20 in Windsor.
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Source: Houlden