Retail Edge Consultants managing director David Brown said jewellery retailers had overwhelmingly said the timing of the conference, originally scheduled to run January 11 to 14, would make attendance difficult.
“Many of them either take their own holidays in January or their staff do, which means the store is understaffed,” he explained.
“Also, it is peak time on the Gold Coast which means higher travel and accommodation costs which also became a factor for many.”
Brown said the decision had not been taken lightly, and that all registered delegates had been informed of the date change. The conference is now scheduled for June 20 to 24, 2011.
The Edge Downunder Conference will focus on profits, management and marketing for jewellery retailers, and has lined up a host of industry experts to speak at the event.
US jewellery retailers are expected to descend on Australia for the conference, which will give Australian and American jewellers the opportunity to learn each other’s business tips.
The conference is organised by Retail Edge Consultants and its US operation, Edge Retail Academy, which specialise in improving the performance of retailers.
Edge Downunder was a response to Retail Edge research which indicated that Australian and American retailers operate very differently to one another, outperforming each other in different areas.
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Australian and US jewellers to share expertise