Coup for trio of independent jewellers

2.4 k views | Posted March 22, 2011 | By Sonia Nair

Three independent jewellery retailers are vying for the title of Australia’s ‘Favourite jewellery store’ alongside international giants including Tiffany & Co and Cartier in Grazia’s inaugural Shopping Awards.

Love & Hatred and Trilby Phoenix in Sydney, and e.g. etal in Melbourne were announced as three of the 10 finalists in the jewellery store category, which consumers helped to shortlist.

The other finalists in the category included luxury retail giants Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany & Co and Georg Jensen, as well as fashion jewellery chains Swarovski, Mimco and Diva.

Emma Goodsir, director of contemporary jewellery design store e.g. etal, said she was very excited to have her store named among international, high-calibre luxury retailers.

“It is fantastic exposure because we are a small independent store and the fact that we have been nominated shows that people are starting to appreciate individual designers and one-off jewellery pieces instead of something generic,” Goodsir said.

She believes the store was shortlisted because of a combination of factors, from the store’s warm and inviting ambience to its customer service.

“People are thrilled when they come into our dark, austere building only to enter a brightly lit underground treasure trove where our store is,” Goodsir said.

“We also pay a lot of attention to staff training and customer service. Our staff realise that they’re not only selling jewellery, they’re selling an emotive product where they help customers forge a connection with a particular jewellery piece,” she explained.

Grazia acting editor Jane Davies said the Grazia Shopping Awards is crucial in recognising the efforts of retailers.

“With the growth of international luxury and high-street brands in Australia, retailers need to step up their game to appeal to an ever more discerning shopper,” Davies said.

“They also deserve recognition for providing quality products and great customer service, which is why the Grazia Shopping Awards 2011 is such an important initiative,” she added.

The awards launched in February and Grazia readers initially nominated their favourite stores and fashion businesses across 11 categories.

From the reader nominations, an expert judging panel that comprised Grazia fashion director Mark Vassallo, RMIT fashion program director Karen Webster, fashion retail consultant and trend forecaster Yasmin Sewell, and retail business consultant Peter James Ryan then selected the top finalists for each category.

Readers now have six weeks to vote for their number-one favourite in each category on Grazia’s online voting portal. Voting closes April 22 and results will be announced on May 16.
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