Baselworld 2017 result: the buyers have fallen again (-4%), but less than the decline of exhibitors. In return… ♦
What is a success? It depends on your point of view. Sometimes lose less than feared it may be considered a good result. And that’s what happened with Baselworld 2017. The largest and best organized exhibition dedicated to jewelry and watches has closed its edition number one hundred with 106,000 buyers (down 4% compared to 2016, when they were 111,000 and less of 114,000 of 2015) from more than 100 countries. As a matter negative? Yes and no. The exhibitors of 2017 were down 13.3%, from 1,500 to 1,300. Therefore, the decline of the buyers was less than that of the companies present. However this decline is the third, after two consecutive years in which exhibitors and buyers were down by 3%. In total, buyer attendance fell by 30% in four years, from 150,000 to just over 100,000. So it’s no wonder that next year Baselworld will be shorter: from eight to six days (from Thursday, March 22, 2018, to Tuesday 27). This also means less costs for businesses and perhaps some presence in more. Even if it means less revenue for the organizers.
The descent is due to more by watches or more by jewelry? One thing is clear: in 2016 the Swiss watch exports fell by 9.88% compared to 2015, although the last quarter has been a slight improvement. But were missed even jewelery brands like Antonini and Nikos Koulis, to name a few. On the other hand, it has increased the influx of journalists present (including those of gioiellis.com). And among the exhibitors he surprised the presence of a hi-tech giant like Samsung. More than digital watches, presented his device for virtual reality, complete with a demonstration to the public. For Baselworld is the beginning of a turning point? Federico Graglia
