How is your business adapting to the changing consumer landscape in Australia? Are there new demographics or trends you’re focusing on to drive growth?
Our business is helping local retailers adapt to the changing consumer landscape. I’ve mentioned this in my talks previously and even even though retail spending slowed 8 out of 10 households are buying online. We have a feed product to help jewellers reach beyond their store front whilst also driving traffic in store. Once in store our Showroom product is designed to help retailers close those deals in that meeting by having two million diamonds to show virtually.

With the increased push for sustainable practices, what are the biggest challenges you face in making your business more sustainable, and how are you overcoming these challenges?
Nivoda is uniquely positioned to support an ethical and sustainable future for our industry. Consumers are demanding ethical sourcing. Of course there is the Kimberley process but as new technologies are developed and most importantly agreed upon by the industry, we will include this in our products.

What role do you see technology playing in the future of your business? Are you investing in innovations like virtual try-ons, blockchain for traceability, or other digital advancements?

We are a SAAS company so technology plays a critical role in our business. We are constantly exploring new technologies and ways to integrate these into our products like Showroom and you will see major updates here very soon. We rely on the feedback from clients to drive which features they’d like to see enhance the sales experience and which get in the way of that.

With more consumers looking for personalised and unique pieces, how does your business cater to this trend while maintaining scalability and quality?
Personalisation is a critical part of the consumer experience and a key advantage of the traditional brick and mortar stores and hybrid stores. We
have begun Made to Order manufacturing and have already produced many pieces for Australian retailers. We are able to leverage our industry
relationship and technology expertise to deliver unique pieces to the highest quality. This is currently a bespoke service but will soon be available on platform.

What steps are you taking to cultivate customer loyalty in an increasingly competitive market? How important are post-purchase services, such as maintenance and repair, in building long term relationships?

Customer loyalty is incredibly important to all businesses and ours is no exception. We have restructured our sales teams to ensure that they
are free to build on their relationships with clients and deliver solutions that help those clients grow. Our success is entirely dependent on our clients’ success.

What do you think the Australian jewellery industry will look like in five to ten years? Are there any big shifts or disruptions on the horizon that the industry should be preparing for?
That is very hard to answer but I hope to see the innovation over the last few years continue long into the future. Initiatives that your publication and the Jewellery Industry Network have made like the Women In Jewellery Network, Industry Podcast, workshops and now an app for event bring inclusiveness, resources and education to the industry. The biggest shift for traditional retailer is recognising consumer behaviour has changed and
embracing technology will help them serve the next generation.

How do you view the globalisation of the jewellery market? Do you believe there are opportunities for Australian jewellers to expand internationally, and if so, what regions or markets do you see as promising?
Globalisation is affecting all industry as the internet puts every product in your hand. There absolutely is opportunities for Australian jewellers to expand internationally and we have already seen that. Our manufacturing here is also world class and whilst many Australian jewellers have manufacturing done offshore, there are many international clients that have their manufacturing done here!

Are there any emerging jewellery trends you believe will strongly impact the Australian market in the near future? How are you preparing for or leveraging these trends?
The popularity of men’s jewellery will only continue to increase in popularity, providing opportunities for many creative designers and manufacturers.
Popularity of coloured stones is increasing and we have invested heavily in this are too, recently opening an office in Jaipur – the Gemstone Capital
of the World! We have also built our own in house media centre to ensure the highest quality videos and photos. As mentioned earlier we have a made to order option available for jewellery and in time this service will be on platform along with popular items like earrings and tennis bracelets etc.

With the increasing importance of lab-grown diamonds, do you see them as a threat or a complement to natural gemstones? How do you anticipate this trend impacting your business in the next decade?
Lab grown diamonds certainly not a threat but an opportunity. With sales for lab-grown diamonds exceeding naturals 8 fold here, the consumer has
already made their choice and it now falls to the jeweller to make theirs.

What shifts have you noticed in Australian consumer preferences over the last few years, especially with the rise of ethical consumption and the demand for transparency?
There has been a significant rise in ‘green consciousness’ amongst consumers particularly the engagement ring market. Climate change and
environmental concerns are very much top of mind. We’ve seen strong and growing interest in lab-grown diamonds has satisfied this demand. Many jewellers that have only ever sold naturals have told us they are not even being asked for them anymore.

How are Australian consumers responding to high-end luxury jewellery compared to more affordable pieces? Are you noticing a stronger trend toward either end of the market?
The rise in popularity of lab-grown has been the biggest shift in consumer behaviour in the last few years. The luxury market is relatively unchanged but more are now looking to jewellers with access to a global inventory to improve their selections.

As an industry leader, how do you stay inspired and forward-thinking in such a tradition-rooted industry? Are there other sectors or influences you draw inspiration from?
I’m very fortunate working for Nivoda in that I have over 500 inspiring colleagues from all industries and cultures. As a company we are entirely committed to making global trade simple and accessible. These experiences from other industries push the vision of our CEO to solve the pain points for such a tradition rooted industry, was the catalyst for our beginning and continues to drive our approach in all areas of our business.

If you could change one thing about the Australian jewellery industry to improve its future, what would it be?
The Australian jewellery industry has a very bright future. Australians have always been early adopters of technology and by continuing to innovate and embrace technology they are able to reach a wider audience and with platforms like Nivoda’s benefit from fully managed logistics saving time and reducing overheads. I’m very excited for the future of our industry!