CMJ group sees 70 per cent sales growth

Indeed, the Company of Master Jewellers has seen dramatic growth over the past three years, with a growth of 161 per cent since 2009, when sales were just over £28 million.

Announcing the figures, CMJ finance director Dominic Wakefield said: “What is especially encouraging is that while our biggest members have enjoyed growth, it is the middle tier of our members that we have seen putting more sales through the group this year.” The CMJ has grown its business by attracting more high-end and mini multiple retailers, including new members TJ Davies of Aberystwyth and the Fish Brothers Group of London and the southeast, along with a raft of new suppliers. The newest supplier to join the CMJ is fashion watch brand Toywatch.

The CMJ AGM formed part of a two-day business conference held in London from June 12 to 13. Speakers at the event included retail guru Howard Saunders from Echochamber; diamontaire Jean Paul Tolkowsky; visual merchandising consultant Eve Reid from Metamorphosis; Adorn Insight trend forecaster Juliet Hutton-Squire; Gemma Cartwright from Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold; and CMJ member Steff Suter from Steffans in Northampton.