WGC Reports That U.S. Gold Jewelry Demand Up 3%, While Global Weakness Persists

Indian gold jewelry demand is making a comeback

Growth in U.S. gold jewelry demand resumed, leading to the strongest first quarter since 2010, the World Gold reported Thursday, as demand rose 3% year-over-year to 22.9 tons. The U.S. is firmly the world’s third largest market for gold jewelry.

The WGC Gold Demand Trends report for the first quarter of 2017 credited this growth to a post election lift in U.S. consumer sentiment. "Plain yellow gold was more popular in the U.S. than in European markets," WGC said in the report. "High end and online retailers performed strongly. The online segment is also gaining strength, particularly with continued growth in ‘clicks and mortar’ retailing—the overlap between the virtual and physical retail environments."

The U.S. was one of the few bright spots in a world still challenged by regional geopolitical and economic issues causing uncertainty throughout the world. More importantly, demand was curtailed by a 9% rise in gold prices from the end of December till the end of March.

A first-quarter surge in gold jewelry demand in Indian was enough to fuel a year-over-year 1% increase in global gold jewelry demand in the first quarter to 480.9 tons, according to the WGC. However, it is compared against an extremely poor first quarter of 2016. 

“Gold jewelry demand was broadly steady, but remains weak in the longer term context,” the WGC said in its report. “Demand was 18% below the 587.7-ton five-year quarterly average.”

India
In November 2016, the Indian government implemented a surprise demonetization policy that removed Rs15.44 trillion, or 86 percent, of the currency in circulation from India’s economy. This had an immediate devastating impact on the whole Indian economy, including the gold jewelry sector. It was the culmination of an extremely challenging year for India’s gold jewelry industry that included strikes, even more government regulations and high gold prices. All of this led to a seven-year low in gold jewelry demand in India in 2016. 

Against this backdrop a 16% year-over-year increase in gold jewelry demand to 92.3 tons in India in the first quarter of 2017, as reported by the WGC, isn’t as strong as it first appears. India’s importance in the gold jewelry marketplace can’t be underestimated. China and India accounted for nearly 56% of global gold jewelry demand in the first quarter. 

The WGC emphasized that despite the high quarterly gain gold jewelry demand remains weak, primarily due to the high cost of the precious metal. The good news is that “by the end of March, 85% of the value of currency removed from circulation under demonetization had been returned,” the WGC said in its report.

The WGC said the outlook in gold jewelry demand in India is “robust” with one caveat. “The market is wary of the forthcoming decision on GST (Goods and Services Tax— a comprehensive indirect tax on manufacture, sale and consumption of goods and services throughout India, with the exception of Jammu and Kashmir) and this will likely weigh on demand until the government’s final decision, due for implementation in early July.”

China
The massive, populous and increasingly upwardly mobile country is now easily the world’s largest market for gold jewelry. Demand for gold jewelry was down 2% year-over-year to 176.5 tons. 

An early Lunar New Year pushed gold jewelry demand in January, the WGC said. This was followed by a strong wedding season. However, “once the festivities were over, demand dropped off as usual—an effect that was more pronounced due to the backdrop of rising gold prices.”

The WGC described the gold jewelry industry as resourceful, but a slowing economic environment and changing consumer tastes are having a negative effect on gold jewelry demand. 

China, known for 24k gold jewelry, has experienced an increase in 18k products. Manufacturers responded by offering more intricate and contemporary designs. A new 22k segment was introduced to cater demand for new, innovative and trendsetting pieces. In addition, some retailers are increasingly becoming specialized in bridal jewelry. 

“So, although demand in China faces headwinds from the economy and the changing tastes of its consumers, the industry is keen and determined to adapt—an attitude that should help stem any weakness,” the WGC said.

Other Asian Markets
Jewelry demand within the smaller Asian markets was hit by a combination of rising gold price and rising political tensions in the region. In the face of rising gold prices, Japanese jewelry demand fell 9% year-over-year to 3.2 tons. A drop in Chinese tourists also was cited as a reason. 

In Thailand, sluggish economic growth contributed to a 5% decline in first quarter jewelry demand to 3.1 tons. “The government responded with several measures designed to boost the domestic industry,” WGC said. “These included waiving tariffs on raw material imports used in jewelry production , and making low interest loans available for small and medium sized businesses to upgrade machinery.”

Europe
Jewelry demand was again dragged down by weakness in France and the U.K., the WGC said. The rest of the region was stable. Demand fell 6% in France due to pre-election uncertainty and the rise in terrorist activity which has impacted tourism, the WGC said. In addition, branded silver is making continued inroads into market share.

The U.K. saw a 7% year-over-year first quarter decline to 3.7 tons. 

Middle East and Turkey
Demand in Turkey sank to a four-year low of 7.7 tons, the WGC said. Continued currency weakness in Turkey meant that the price of gold in lira rose more than in any other currency during the first quarter (+12%), undermining jewelry demand, which fell by 11% to 7.7 tons.

“The fragile economic and political conditions that have beset Turkey over recent years were again a key factor behind the weak Q1 number,” the WGC said. “The mid-April referendum on changing Turkey’s constitution from a parliamentary to a presidential republic weighed on demand for the sector. And the outlook for the market is weak as the local price remains prohibitively high for many at a time of deteriorating economic indicators.”

Demand in the Middle East was unchanged at 54.6 tons and it followed a familiar pattern, the WGC said. Jewelry demand in Iran jumped 27% in the first quarter year-over-year to a four-year high of 12.9 tons, helped by an improving economy and investment-driven purchases.

“Demand across the rest of the region remained weak in the face of low oil prices and subdued tourist numbers, the impact of which was exaggerated by rising gold prices,” the WGC said. “Although the UAE has imposed a 5% import duty, demand in that market was relatively robust as consumers rushed to buy before the full effect of the tax fed through to end user prices.”

Overall Gold Demand
The WGC Gold Demand Trends report—which tracks demand in gold for investments, jewelry and technology; and tracks gold supply as well—reported that overall global gold demand in the first quarter declined 18% to 1,034.5 tons. However, it is in comparison with the first quarter of 2016, which was the highest first quarter ever. 

There was slower demand in Exchange Traded Funds and in central banks. Bar and coin investment, however, was described as “healthy” while demand “firmed slightly” in both the jewelry and technology sectors, the WGC said. 

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Change Brings Opportunity For US Jewelers At Baselworld 2015

Photo credit: Courtesy of Baselworld

By Lisa Nikfarjam of Lisa Nik, Inc.

Attendance was undeniably down this year at Baselworld. But what does this really mean? The buying habits of US retailers have become increasingly focused on commercialized and internationally advertised brands. Perhaps this is because these brands are also becoming increasingly demanding for in store space, purchase dollars, and marketing placement in order to maintain market share. Will this create an overly homogenized jewelry selection for consumers across the country? 

Many jewelers would argue that this industry dynamic is an opportunity to grow by further differentiating and focusing on newer and less commercialized brands. Several buyers that we spoke with at Baselworld stated that they need something different that everyone cannot find down the street at every department store and competing jewelry store. Niche designers have a tremendous opportunity to position themselves among the boutique and specialty retail stores that specifically target items that rebel the mainstream.  

For designers, the colored stone section offered better than usual deals this year, specifically because of the strength of the US dollar against the Euro. It was literally like shopping with a 20 to 30 percent discount compared to the previous few years. Colored stone prices in general are higher than in years past and buyers may consider this adjustment to price as balanced due to the exchange rates. Overall, the incentive to buy from European suppliers was present within the competitive landscape.  

Many European designers and manufacturers commented on the lighter international traffic with all eyes gazing upon the US buyers that were present. Although the strengthened dollar certainly stimulated US purchasing at the show this year, several retailers commented on the concern over experiencing a drop in existing inventory values because of the changed prices. Imagine owning $1 million of commoditized inventory that is suddenly worth 20 percent less because of a price change. This may not lead to a desire to purchase more just because of the drop in price.  

We can only hope that the continued strength of sales in the sector will allow these retailers to sell through their existing stock levels so they can purchase more and benefit from the price reductions and the preferred Euro and Swiss Franc exchange rates against the US dollar.

Lisa Nikfarjam was at Baselworld in search of gems and stories. She is founder of the jewelry design firm, Lisa Nik,  a company that combines colored gemstones, diamonds, and artful elements to create fashionable jewelry that women around the world can enjoy on any occasion.

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Slight Gain in Consumer Conference Index for July

Kim Kardashian shopping in Beverly Hills. Photo credit: FlynetPictures.com

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined in June, improved slightly in July. The Index now stands at 59.5 (1985=100), up from 57.6 in June. The Present Situation Index decreased to 35.7 from 36.6. The Expectations Index rose to 75.4 from 71.6 last month.

“Consumer confidence posted a modest gain in July, the result of an improvement in consumers’ short-term outlook,” said Lynn Franco, The Conference Board Consumer Research Center director. “Consumers’ appraisal of current business and employment conditions, however, was less favorable as concerns about the labor market continue to weigh on consumers’ attitudes. Overall, consumers remain apprehensive about the future, but some of the concern expressed last month has abated.”

Consumers' assessment of current day conditions weakened further in July. Those stating business conditions are “good” decreased to 13.4 percent from 13.7 percent, while those claiming business conditions are “bad” increased to 39 percent from 38.4 percent, according to the monthly report. Consumers’ appraisal of the job market was also less favorable. Those claiming jobs are “hard to get” increased to 44.1 percent from 43.2 percent, while those stating jobs are “plentiful” remained unchanged at 5.1 percent.

Consumers’ short-term outlook improved moderately in July. The proportion of consumers expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months increased to 17.7 percent from 16.5 percent. However, those anticipating business conditions will worsen also increased, to 15.2 percent from 14.9 percent.

Consumers were also mixed about the outlook for the labor market over the next six months. Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead increased to 16.7 percent from 13.8 percent. However, those expecting fewer jobs also increased to 21.8 percent from 20.7 percent. The proportion of consumers anticipating an increase in their incomes rose to 15.7 percent from 14.1 percent.

The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by The Nielsen Company. The cutoff date for July’s preliminary results was July 14.