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BEIJING, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- International Gemological Institute (IGI) today held a seminar called " Your Clients of the Future and the Internet...Are You Ready?" at the annual China International Jewellery Fair 2009, which has opened this morning at China International Exhibition Centre and will run through November 9.

The internet sales talk, part of IGI's education series for the China market, was first presented at Jewelry Shanghai in May by IGI guest speaker John Pollard, a world-renowned educator and consultant.

In Beijing, Mr Pollard once again unveiled techniques to increase online traffic and boost sales conversion rates. "Traditional jewellery stores need to modify their business models to stay on the edge. With the internet, a new generation of shoppers is emerging. Traditional stores must be prepared, and must adapt in order to remain competitive, and there are a number of ways to do that," He said. Mr Pollard cited examples of traditional stores doing this and advised others to learn from their experiences, which amounts to becoming web-savvy yet remaining "traditional".

Said IGI chief executive Marc Brauner, "The way consumers are shopping is changing. Young people use the internet for every aspect of their lives, and these are your future clients."

Mr Brauner said traditional stores must now devise online strategies to match and surpass those deployed by web-based retail rivals.

"IGI has brought in John from the US to share this very hot topic with the local retail industry and we are very pleased that this seminar was just as well received in Beijing," Mr Brauner said the company would remain committed in its education initiatives in China.

RETAIL SUPPORT PROGRAMME

As part of the company's education initiatives, IGI established the RETAIL SUPPORT PROGRAMME in March, and has since reached out to retailers across the country, including the biggest jewellery brands. The programme is designed to enhance the product knowledge and selling skills of frontline staff. "IGI understands retailers compete with the unique values of their products and that our training will add the professionalism the sales staff needs," Mr Brauner said the RETAIL SUPPORT PROGRAMME has been well received in China, and has since experienced tremendous market demand, not to mention winning support of local industry associations.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE (IGI)

Established in Antwerp, New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Dubai, Toronto, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv and Cavalese, IGI is the world's largest independent gem certification and appraisal institute and is renowned for its quality services, extensive experience and know-how.

IGI, the oldest institute of its kind in Antwerp, was founded in 1975 and along with its sister laboratories is one of the leading gemological institutions worldwide.

Presently, a staff of just three has grown to over 700 professionals dedicated to a standard of excellence second to none. Today IGI issues more than 1 Million reports a year.

ABOUT GUEST SPEAKER JOHN POLLARD

John Pollard is a professional educator and consultant with degrees in gemology, education, science and music, and has guest lectured at 16 university campuses. He is twice winner of the HEB Education Foundation's Award of Excellence, and a Distinguished Educator with an entry in the Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Since 2004, he has specialized in the internet's influence on diamond and jewellery sales. He is a full-time trainer, project manager and consultant for manufacturers and sellers in the United States and Europe, servicing a range of traditional, internet-only and "bricks and clicks" models with marketing and strategic development.

For more information on IGI's seminar on online jewellery sales or Retail Support Programme, please visit IGI booth during China International Jewellery Fair 2009 located at 401, 402, 403 and 404, Hall 2B.

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