While you don’t need to be in the headlines for suspected jewelry theft – like Lindsay Lohan, who is currently being probed for allegedly swiping a $2,500 gold necklace from a Los Angeles jewelry store – the truth is that Wholesale Jewelry is becoming hotter than ever, and in a variety of channels from traditional retail outlets, to online forums that are delivering the goods directly to their customers.
In both the USA and UK, research shows that jewelry is among the hottest and most highly desired items that are being sought after in the retail sector. A variety of styles and construction make these glittering goods attractive to men as well as women, too. Demand has actually increased for wholesalers, importers, traders and dropshippers that are involved in everything from manufacturing to distribution, and it’s a good thing, too; the economy that has been giving everybody the blues for the last couple of years is finally showing signs of becoming healthy and active again.
In China, where it seems the economy is a bottomless cup of plenty, the sales figures for jewelry have skyrocketed. Consumer spending has shifted from essentials to items that represent an investment, and jewelry enjoys the status of being not only functional, but fashionable as well. Other accessories that are making the top of the retail lists in China are showing everything from Bangles, Beads, Necklaces, Rings, Chains, and Studs, to Jewelry tools, polish, and even Jewelry cleaning machines to be a hit with buyers in all levels of the market.
Top quality jewelry has seen a welcome surge in buying activity as of late, and the timing couldn’t be better. Along with news in the headlines about inflation, rising costs of living in many countries, and the increasing value of gold and silver; there is a desire to hold on and keep as much stable currency as possible. Analysts in the financial and economic circles are in agreement that although the reasons for people’s buying behavior may not be so easy to pinpoint, the results are hard to argue with. Gold and silver are becoming popular with everyone from the rich to the lower middle classes, and the buildup of market activity is responding well to the public’s demand for more.
In the USA, prices are climbing fast, and with a short supply of polished and finished goods for sale, the demand will only drive prices upward in the coming months. A factor that will result in heavy buying is Valentine’s Day, which could be just the thing to spur hesitant buyers to take the plunge, and buy now while the prices are still relatively low.
On the exchange side, trading remains stable, with signs of increased trading into the second quarter of 2011.
In Europe, the jewelry trade is seeing stable trading, but buyers are resisting the higher prices for now. While retailers are scrambling to try to find ways to make their goods more attractive to local consumers, they have also been exploring the possibilities behind opening up their trade to other countries outside of the EU as well. With neighboring countries all feeling the effects of inflation, and with China pumping money into some of those economies, there will surely be a rising need for trade to take place, if the market is to remain stable enough to enter the second half of the year without disastrous results.
In India, trade is good, and even with Hong Kong traders taking time off for the Spring festival holidays there have been active trades made in the Wholesale Jewelry business. Even though some of these dealers have chosen to hold out until the end of the holidays, the rest have been acting in anticipation of future price increases, and buying now while they can get in for less. Demand for 0.02-carat range has been particularly strong, and offers hope to wholesalers who want to cash in on the opportunities.
