The anticipated drop in shopper spending, particularly in discretionary classes, will put additional stress on the sector,” the report’s authors wrote. Support during troublesome instances is perhaps the clearest benefit for retailers of becoming a member of a shopping for group, and this was illustrated as the pandemic raged – forcing unbiased retailers to switch their methods and seek external assistance. The ‘virtual buying trip’ ran from July to September and connected jewellers with diamantaires via video-conferencing, as well as providing marketing materials to promote the stones and encourage pre-orders.

• Guerlain continued to develop, pushed by the popularity of its