“Over the past two years, I think the changing face of our customers and their buying habits is something that continues to be difficult for lots of independent jewellers,” Zarb informed Jeweller in March. COVID-19 accelerated one other key development within the retail sector, which is the shift to e-commerce. According to figures from Australia Post, 12 per cent of Australian retail gross sales occurred on-line in March 2020 – a brand new document excessive. “Together with our specialist jewellery retailer lease consultants we helped over 200 members obtain substantial lease reductions,” Pocklington said. In terms of communication and training, Nationwide provided webinars on industry-related topics – including forecasts and advertising strategies – as well as tutorials. At Nationwide, the focus was additionally on offering robust digital offering, together with new platforms to replace those bodily events that had been cancelled because of international travel restrictions.

• Sophie Bille Brahe, Completedworks