Industry gives mixed response to IIJS Virtual 2.0

Fresh from the success of the inaugural edition of the virtual India International Jewellery Show (IIJS), held in October, the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) held the second such event, titled ‘IIJS Virtual 2.0’ in 8-12 January 2021. The five-day-long event was an upgraded version of the October show, with new and advanced features to enhance the buyer-seller experience.

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The event received a mixed response from the trade, with most participants embracing the new mode of trading; and others remaining unsure of the true impact of technology aided trade shows.

IMPROVED INTERFACE

Sharing his experience, Ravi Kapoor, Managing Director, Kays Jewels, Kanpur, said, “The second edition of IIJS Virtual was good for us. With the improvement in the user interface, the connectivity was better, as compared to the previous virtual edition. I think the vendors were better prepared than in the previous edition in terms of jewellery design.”

As most of the vendors and manufacturers had started promoting and marketing their latest collections almost a month ahead of the show, Sumeet Anand, Director, Punjabi Saraf Jewellers, Indore, felt that this time “The manufacturers oversold their products; many orders got finalized before the start of the show. So, the level of seriousness was quite less, compared to the previous edition. However, overall, the event was good for us.”

Some of the attendees praised the organizers for timing the event well. “The timing of the show was good, as it was held just before the sankranti festival, which made it convenient for retailers to replenish their stocks for the upcoming season. Since it is a one-to-one platform, where retailers need to make an appointment, it will suit some, but others may not be very comfortable with the format,” said Pratap Kamath, Managing Director, Abaran Jewellers, Bengaluru.