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Wednesday, 18th February 2004 (9016 views)

Economic experts have cautiously predicted an improved climate for consumer goods could raise demand on the German market this year for jewellery goods.<BR/><BR/>First indications of trends in retail demand for the beginning of this year have been provided by Inhorgenta Europe 2004.<BR/><BR/>Last year domestic demand was weak with manufacturing sales in the jewellery industry hit hard. <BR/><BR/>Total turnover for jewellery in 2003, could come to €826 million compared to the previous year's €949 million, according to figures by the Federal Office of Statistics of Germany and calculations by the industry association, BV Schmuck & Uhren.<BR/><BR/>However, jewellery exports such as gold had a more positive result rising by six per cent, despite the rise in the euro against the dollar in the latter part of the year.<BR/><BR/>BV Schmuck & Uhren argue that in order to bring about the necessary upturn in Germany, which is also dependent on domestic demand, current reforms must be implemented and continued without delay.<BR/><BR/>In addition the association claimed the government must quickly end current uncertainty about the future, and give end consumers more security and certainty about the future and entrepreneurs more confidence in the economic framework.<BR/><BR/>Increased demand on the German market is predicted to begin by the middle of this year, at the latest.

 

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