The report of the Official College of Jewelers, Goldsmiths, Watchmakers and Gemologists of Catalonia (JORGC) indicates that the sector closed 2013 with a slight decrease of 4%, half of what was expected. Regarding the accident rate during 2013, it concludes that the number of crimes was reduced by 19% compared to 2012, going from 283 crimes in 2012 to 230 in 2012.
The jewelry and watch sector in Catalonia invoiced at retail prices in 2013 for a value of 305 million euros, 4% less than in 2012. This slight decrease, much smaller than those registered since the beginning of the crisis, represents an improvement with respect to the expectations of the sector, which predicted a decrease for this year of more than 8%, and allows us to consider that bottom has finally been reached and that this year 2014 could be the year of recovery. Sales derived from tourism, which already represent close to 20% of the total, have been an essential factor to compensate for the decrease in sales in the domestic market. By country, tourist buyers of jewelry and watches in Catalonia are mainly from France and emerging countries such as Russia, China or Latin America.
However, shopping tourism is concentrated in large or luxury establishments, so the dual speed between large commerce and small and medium commerce is maintained. Establishments that invoice more than 300,000 euros annually have already begun recovery, with increases of up to 5% in their turnover; On the other hand, the rest – which continues to be the vast majority of points of sale in Catalonia – still register decreases of between 8 and 12%, which, although lower than in previous years, are still significant.
Accident rates: robberies and violent robberies decrease
Regarding the accident rate, although a significant downward trend is observed, theJORGCinsists on concern about the number of attacks that establishments in the sector continue to receive. In 2013, in Catalonia there were 4 attacks against the jewelry sector every week, although there was one less attack each week than in the previous year.
Regarding the typology, the most common crimes are scams and thefts, followed by robberies. HeJORGCThe reduction of assaults and robberies with violence and intimidation by almost 40% stands out in 2013 compared to the previous year, after having registered a worrying increase in previous years. The year 2011, in which the advanced warning system was launched as a result of the collaboration between the JORGC and the Mossos de Esquadra, was a turning point, since for the first time the growing trend of attacks against the sector since the beginning of the crisis in 2008 was broken. In 2013 this downward trend has continued, with a decrease of 19%: 53 fewer accidents, the largest decrease recorded in the 12 years (since the historical series was created in 2002).
About the Advanced Alert System
At the beginning of 2011, theJORGCdeveloped, in collaboration with the Mossos d'Esquadra, an advanced alert system that allows establishments to give notice of suspected criminal behavior (modus operandi, suspects, vehicles...) or risk situations. There is, therefore, an action protocol and specific forms for the system, which has been in operation since January 2011. The tool is available through the official JORGC website (www.jorgc.org) and its members can use it directly from their mobile phones, quickly and easily.
The jewelry sector, with the support of the JORGC, always works from the perspective of prevention. The College, in addition to working jointly with the security forces, continues to act in all possible areas to increase security and raise awareness in society of the importance of improving and perfecting the legal framework regarding security.
Forecasts for 2014
Looking ahead to 2014, the sector's expectations are moderately optimistic with forecasts of soft growth between 2 and 3% in sales in retail and between 0 and 0.5% in manufacturers.
The economic report ofJORGCIt also shows that the sector continues to invest in advertising and in the adaptation of establishments and that it is decisively committed to internationalization and e-commerce as the main business growth strategies.
www.jorgc.org
