(PRESS RELEASE) MILAN, ITALY — With fewer than 10 weeks to go until the opening of the 2019 CIBJO Congress in Manama, Bahrain, on Nov. 18, the first of the CIBJO commissions’ Special Reports has been released. Prepared by the CIBJO Marketing & Education Commission, headed by Jonathan Kendall, the report returns to what has been defined as the next great jewelry-consuming group, Generation Z, providing a breakdown of what the industry needs to consider if it is to ensure that jewelry remains a favored purchase.
Generation Z refers to consumers who currently are 15 to 25 years of age.
“Gen Z is coming to our markets very soon if it has not already arrived in reality,” writes Kendall. “Its members are forecast to spend a whopping $143 billion this year alone. So we better get them on our side if we want to enjoy a rosy future. In fact, the future success of the jewelry industry will depend on our understanding the needs and wants of Generation Z. Get this right and we can all look forward to strong profitable years moving forward. Get it wrong and we could be destined for the scrap heap – not overnight maybe, but ultimately.”
Communicating largely via social media, Generation Z is more environmentally conscious and gender neutral than any generation that preceded it, studies show. It celebrates authenticity, diversity and human imperfection. It is more likely to heed the advice of a friend rather than a celebrity.
“Gen Z is prepared to splurge, but it must be worth it. The more added value the better, and that can come from its environmental credentials or its social value,” says Kendall.
To download a copy of the CIBJO Market & Education Commission’s special report, click here.
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Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently.
The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.
