Introduction to Nationwide

Who We Are

Nationwide Jewellers was founded in 1991 with a simple objectiveto support, promote and improve the profitability of independent jewellery retailers. Today, with more than 400 member stores across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, our ethos remains the same.

Our experienced team provides the industry specific and innovative support services required to meet the challenges of a continuously evolving retail landscape.

While the strength of our numbers provides impressive purchasing power for members, the most often cited advantage of joining Nationwide is becoming part of a larger community of like-minded individuals and family-owned businesses. Our members meet regularly at conferences, trade fairs and on group trips, always with the view to grow by sharing their challenges and successes with one another.

As well as bringing together the best retailers, manufacturers and suppliers in the trade, Nationwide invests in the future of the jewellery industry through initiatives such as our Apprentice Assistance Program and Rising Star Award.

The jewellery related travel experiences we offer members are unparalleled, best illustrated by our Antwerp Diamond Broker™ Program, which over the last 25 years has successfully grown the diamond sales of countless metropolitan and regional jewellery stores.

Nationwide members never pay membership fees, can use as many or as few of our services as they wish, and can contact us for help with any business need.

Stay independent, and enjoy our complete support.

Our Members

Our members’ stores are located all over Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Metropolitan or suburban, regional or remote; they are a mix of design, manufacturing and purely retail businesses. What all our members have in common is their passion for the jewellery industry, and of course their independence.

While they might be spread far and wide, Nationwide members are now more connected and supportive of each other than ever before via our online discussion forum.

“Being a member of Nationwide is like being part of a family; the staff always know who we are and which store we are calling from. We’ve greatly benefitted from taking part in online forums with other members who have shared their ups and downs with the group.”

“Nationwide gives us access to wonderful opportunities like Antwerp diamond buying which has really helped our business to grow our diamond sales. We have not only gained much support & benefits, but also many friends along the way too.”

— Pranay & Jay Parekh, Springfield Jewellers (QLD) Members since 2007

— Donna & Greg Kensen, J & C Manufacturing Jewellers (SA) Members since 1991

“Being a small country business, belonging to a large group like Nationwide has provided huge benefits for me. With help and support always available from a skilled team, and ongoing advice this has helped my business to grow. I feel very privileged belonging to the Nationwide Group.”

— Kerry Phillips, Country Jewel (NZ) Member since 2002

Member Benefits

Strength in Numbers

Zero membership fees combined with the best trade discounts from 150+ preferred suppliers mean your business will be more profitable with Nationwide.

Receive over $100,000 interest free finance for purchases at the IJF and other key buying events. Plus we take the hassle out of invoicing with one monthly consolidated statement. Receive a further 2% discount when paying on time.

Business Coaching

Through our Retail Jewellery Business Management Course, industry benchmarking and exclusive reports, learn how to use retail science to improve your sales and profits.

We seek to provide the best educational opportunities for you and your staff, including diamond grading with Bill Sechos and sales training via our partnership with the Diamond Council of America.

Members also have access to a complete suite of consultancy services which includes lease negotiation and free HR advice.

Innovative Marketing

Our creative team is forever evolving to meet the omnichannel marketing needs of today’s retail environment, and we are at your service. Explore our resource library of past promotions and POS material, participate in our ready-to-go seasonal catalogues or jump on board our flagship marketing campaign to become an Antwerp Diamond Broker™.

Move your business forward with a Shopify website – built, managed and integrated to your POS by our in-house team. Then take the next step to e-commerce success with our trusted SEO and digital marketing partners.

Rewards

The perks don’t stop with better buying. All Sapphire and Diamond Reward members are invited to attend our annual ‘Time Out’ conference – 3 nights accommodation, meals, entertainment, guest speakers and seminars all covered by Nationwide. Plus, you can earn reward points to redeem for travel or gifts from our catalogue!

Experiences

Travel to all corners of the earth with Nationwide Travel, our own licensed travel agency. As well as booking members’ private travel, our team coordinates our Antwerp diamond buying trips, annual conference and attendance at all industry events.

You might also choose to join a Nationwide group tour, with previous destinations including South Africa, Botswana, the US, Canada, China, Japan, Egypt, Italy, France and more! Our members value any and all of these opportunities to connect face to face, learn, share business ideas and make lifelong friendships.

Savings

Enjoy significant group savings on your Jewellers Block Policy and travel insurance, as well as discounted rates on industry subscriptions, consumer finance services, petrol and more.

Our Suppliers

Nationwide carefully curates and maintains a preferred supplier network which offers a vast variety of diamonds, coloured gemstones, best selling jewellery and watch brands, workshop consumables, and everything else a jewellery retailer may require in store. Our suppliers include both domestic and international manufacturers, wholesalers and diamond sightholders.

We work closely with our preferred suppliers to ensure our members are provided with the best trade discounts, exclusive merchandise opportunities and marketing support.

Our suppliers are an integral part of the Nationwide family, and we are equally committed to supporting and promoting their businesses. By adopting this wholistic approach to our operation we can achieve better sales results, more often, for both our members and suppliers.

Our preferred supplier network also includes a range of prominent industry service providers.

See all suppliers at nationwidejewellers.com

“In coming into the jewellery industry Nationwide was the first group that embraced us. And when you go to one of the Nationwide events it becomes obvious quickly why they call it a family, all there to support each other and share their experiences with each other in this wonderful industry.”

—

Paul and Tracy Hicks, Ellani Collections

Preferred supplier since 2009

“DGA was one of the founding suppliers to Nationwide. Over the decades, Nationwide have demonstrated incredible dedication and support to members, and an equally proactive attitude to working with suppliers and growing those partnerships for the benefit of all.”

— Phil Edwards, Duraflex Group Australia

Preferred supplier since 1991

SAMS GROU P

Our Team

One of Nationwide’s founders, Colin has over 50 years experience in the jewellery industry. He has a Bachelor of Business Studies and is a Fellow Certified Practising Accountant. Colin is always available to guide members in analysing their businesses and developing strategies for success.

Glen brings a combination of financial and operational management experience from both retail and hospitality backgrounds. He holds a degree in Commerce and has a passion for researching and implementing business improvement opportunities with our members.

Colin Pocklington Managing Director

Glen Pocklington General Manager

Cindy Eidukevicius-Jones Manager - Merchandise & Marketing

Cindy is a fellow of the Gemmological Association of Australia, holds a Diploma in Diamond Technology, is an HRD alumna and member of the National Council of Jewellery Valuers. Cindy lives and breathes precious stones, providing a valuable diamond buying and educational resource for our members.

Niven McArthur Director - Merchandise & Marketing

Niven is a qualified manufacturing jeweller and past Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. Having formerly operated his own independent jewellery store in New Zealand, his depth of knowledge and bench experience allows him to work confidently with both our preferred suppliers and retail members.

Erin Keller Membership Manager

Erin holds a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration and is a GIA alumna. With extensive retail experience including the management of jewellery stores, she is highly attuned to the issues that are important to our members. Erin conducts regular store visits, providing tailored advice, training and services.

Here For You

Travel & Rewards

Gladys and Helen lead our own fully accredited travel agency, assisting with the planning, organisation and delivery of all Nationwide events and tours. With their significant experience in the tourism and events industry, they can arrange and provide our members with detailed itineraries for both personal and professional travel. In addition, the team looks after our Member Rewards program.

Marketing

Meet Sal and Emma. Regularly designing captivating point of sale material, high impact digital media and cutting-edge websites, they are an essential resource for our members. Our creatives also manage a vast resource library of online and print-ready marketing assets and promotions, all of which can be adapted to fit our members’ unique branding.

Accounts

Meenu, Rebecca and Jackie (pictured) along with Ross and Marjie make up our incredible accounts team. Based in our Sydney office, they play an integral role in supporting our members with the financial management of their businesses. Interacting daily with both members and suppliers, our team works with efficiency and transparency to help reduce the administrative stress of running a small business.

Shared Experience

More than a buying group, we are a family.

ADB™ Program

Becoming an Antwerp Diamond Broker™ is an opportunity offered exclusively to Nationwide members. With perceived expertise being the number one reason that a consumer selects one jeweller over another, your visit to Antwerp is the foundation of a marketing program that can be run year round.

But why Antwerp? With over 80% of the world’s diamonds passing through this city at least once on their journey from mine to finger, Antwerp remains the Diamond Capital of the World.

Nationwide members have access to the offices of some of the largest diamond merchants in the industry. Here you are able to sift through thousands of rough sorted and certified stones to

find the perfect diamonds for your customers. You do not need to be a bench jeweller or have prior diamond grading experience to make the journey, as members are assisted on all trips by Cindy, Nationwide’s own highly qualified gemmologist.

The Nationwide team provides a detailed Antwerp Marketing Program as soon as you sign on for a trip. Our team will then work with you to tailor a marketing plan that covers pre-trip, post-trip and “LIVE-from-Antwerp” campaigns.

The result? Most members on their second and subsequent trips achieve pre-trip sales in excess of $50,000.

We Guarantee You’ll be Better Off

With extensive member rewards and savings, zero membership fees and the buying power of 400+ stores, we offer the most profitable discount structure in the industry. Whether you are coming from another buying group or considering joining for the first time, we guarantee your independent jewellery business will be more profitable with Nationwide.^

Enjoy access to our full suite of retail business services, guidance from our expert team and family-like support from our large network of members and suppliers.

When we work together, we’re confident we can make a positive difference to your business and dramatically increase your profits.

With everything to gain and nothing to lose, enquire about joining Nationwide today.