Hong Kong Jewellers Chow Tai Fook and Lukfook Shortlisted for JNA's "Retailer of the Year" Award

USA - English

• India - English

HONG KONG, Aug. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Two Hong Kong-based jewellery retailers have been shortlisted for the "Retailer of the Year" award at the second edition of the JNA Awards, the most prestigious awards event in the jewellery and gemstone industry.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130819/HK65802 )
(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2013/04/12/20130412193435863919.jpg )
(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2010/04/19/20100419602891.jpg )

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Co Ltd (www.chowtaifook.com) and Luk Fook Holdings (International) Ltd (www.lukfook.com) were named Honourees in the category. The award's second edition drew an impressive number of entries this year, according to JNA (Jewellery News Asia), the awards organiser.

"This year, we received an exceptionally high number of entries for the 'Retailer of the Year' category, and it is remarkable that the two shortlisted companies are from Hong Kong. This signifies Hong Kong's importance not only in the jewellery and gemstone trade but also in retail," said Letitia Chow, Founder of JNA and Chair of the JNA Awards 2013 judging panel. "We congratulate Chow Tai Fook and Lukfook for raising industry standards for excellence in retail. Their quality products and world-class business practices will have a positive impact on the long-term development of the global jewellery retail sector."

Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Government of HKSAR, said, "Hong Kong is Asia's leading jewellery manufacturer and distribution centre. Our jewellery products are renowned for their excellent quality, stylish design, broad varieties and reasonable price. With the persistent efforts of our trade, we are honoured that our products gain great popularity from customers worldwide and are well-recognised in the global market."

Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd, said, "The award further underscores Chow Tai Fook's market leadership in jewellery retail."

The 84-year-old company has an extensive retail network of more than 1,830 points of sale in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Malaysia. It also has a growing presence in e-Commerce.

"We continue to raise our brand visibility in the high-end luxury jewellery market by introducing one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces. We don't only showcase Chow Tai Fook's sophisticated designs and exceptional craftsmanship, but we also represent our local peers in the world stage as a leading jeweller in Greater China," the company managing director said.

Commenting on Lukfook being recognised as a finalist in the "Retailer of the Year" category, Wong Wai Sheung, Chairman and Chief Executive of Lukfook Group, said, "Lukfook was conferred with the coveted 'Retailer of the Year' award at the inaugural JNA Awards. It is a great achievement to be honoured once again."

Founded in 1991, Lukfook Group is one of the leading jewellery retailers in Hong Kong and Mainland China.  It has a retail network of more than 1,100 shops in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, the US and Canada.

"Lukfook is committed to maintaining the right balance between a diverse product selection and high product quality. Our emphasis on product selection, stringent quality assurance and after-sales services differentiates us from other brands. We will continue to uphold a high standard of excellence in what we do," the Lukfook chairman continued.

This year's judging panel is comprised of five industry experts namely Albert Cheng, managing director of the World Gold Council -- Far East (WGC); James Courage, chief executive of Platinum Guild International (PGI); Lin Qiang, president and managing director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE); Nirupa Bhatt, managing director of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in India and the Middle East; and Vichian Veerasaksri, director of the World Jewellery Confederation (Cibjo) and advisor to the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA).

The Award Recipients and Honourees will be feted at an awards ceremony and gala dinner scheduled for 12 September at The Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong. The event will be held on the sidelines of the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, which will run from 11 to 17 September.

The JNA Awards is an industry-wide event that honours and recognises excellence and achievement in the global jewellery trade with a focus on companies and individuals that have made significant contributions to the Asian gemstone and jewellery trade. The awards ceremony and gala dinner is a ticketed event by application only. Interested parties may submit their request by logging on to www.JNAawards.com.

Notes for Editors:

1. AboutJNA

JNA, first published in 1983, is the flagship magazine of UBM Asia's Jewellery Group. The publication is a leader in providing the latest industry updates and in-depth reports, covering the international jewellery trade with an Asian insight. Following its success, the publication launched its online edition in June 2011.

2. About the Headline Partners

2.1 Rio Tinto Diamonds (www.riotintodiamonds.com)

As one of the largest producers of rough diamonds in the world, Rio Tinto Diamonds enjoys an important presence in the international diamond market through its 100 percent control of the Argyle mine, 60 percent of the Diavik mine, 78 percent interest in the Murowa mine and an advanced diamond project in India. Rio Tinto Diamonds' productions are sorted and prepared for sale at its sales and marketing headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium, supported by a network of representative offices in Hong Kong, Mumbai and New York. Rio Tinto Diamonds maintains an extensive industry intelligence network and a high level of customer and product support. The company also believes in supporting consumer confidence in diamonds and plays an active role in addressing key industry issues around product integrity and sustainable development. Rio Tinto Diamonds is a founding member of the Responsible Jewellery Council, the not-for-profit organisation established to reinforce consumer confidence in the jewellery industry.

2.2 Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (Chow Tai Fook), listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2011, is today's largest jeweller by market capitalisation in the world. With a heritage and long-standing reputation spanning more than 80 years, the iconic brand "Chow Tai Fook" is recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and renowned for its product design, quality and value. Chow Tai Fook has an extensive retail network with over 1,800 points of sale spanning 400 cities in Greater China, Singapore and Malaysia, and a rapidly growing presence in e-commerce. Chow Tai Fook's fundamentals and growth dynamics are strong, and it aspires to become the world's most trusted Asian jewellery brand.

3. About the Honoured Partners

3.1 Gubelin

Since 1854, Gubelin has stood for the highest standards in jewellery and gemstones. With its wide range of selected gems and signature jewellery collections, the family-owned business has established its presence in Switzerland's premier locations including Lucerne, Zurich, Basel, Bern, Lugano, St. Moritz and Geneva. Gubelin runs its first boutique in Asia at the famous Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. At the head of the business, now in its sixth generation, stands Raphael Gubelin. Besides the jewellery retail stores and the Gubelin Ateliers, the corporate group also operates the Gubelin Gem Lab, a world-renowned scientific gemstone laboratory with its headquarters in Switzerland and an office in Hong Kong. As head of the company, Raphael Gubelin is continuing his father's business philosophy and nurturing the company's traditional values of genuineness, purity, exclusivity, quality and authenticity.

3.2 Israel Diamond Institute (www.israelidiamond.co.il)

The Israel Diamond Institute (IDI) Group of Companies is a non-profit, public interest company that represents all organisations and institutions involved in Israel's diamond industry. Israel is one of the world's leading diamond centres, and the Israeli diamond industry has an illustrious and impressive history dating back to the late 1930s. IDI works for the benefit of Israel's diamond industry. Its responsibilities include marketing and public relations, build-up of R&D capabilities, rough sources promotion, professional development and training, publication of professional literature and security consultancy. IDI is also responsible for industry participation in major trade fairs around the world, organising Israeli Diamond Pavilions, receptions, press conferences and other events at these fairs. IDI operates a representative office in Hong Kong, which fosters trade relations with Asian markets.

3.3 KARP Group

With over four decades of experience and expertise in the diamond trade, KARP caters to international luxury brands. Apart from being a DTC Sightholder, the group is recognised as an "institution" in the industry, using the most technologically advanced manufacturing systems in the business. KARP manufactures a huge array of products, from 0.005-carat goods to stones weighing 10 carats and above. It excels in the production of certified fine makes, fancy-cut goods and fancy coloured diamonds. The manufacturer is one of the few companies that has achieved up to 5-micron precision in diamond manufacturing.

3.4 Robert Wan Tahiti

Based in Papeete, Tahiti, the Robert Wan Group is a global brand that focuses its activities around the culture of Tahitian pearls. The Group is represented in Europe, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Japan, the Middle East and Oceania. The brand represents the culmination of Robert Wan's vision to create timeless exquisite pearl jewellery, from elegant chokers and sautoirs of gem-quality pearls from his farms in South Marutea. One of the industry pioneers, Robert Wan is known as the "Emperor of Pearls."

3.5 Shanghai Diamond Exchange

The Shanghai Diamond Exchange is the only transaction platform authorised by the State Council for the import and export of diamonds in mainland China. It is a member of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.

4. About UBM Asia

Owned by UBM plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia operates in 18 market sectors with headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia. We have over 240 products including trade fairs, conferences, trade publications, B2B/B2C portals and virtual event services. As Asia's leading exhibition organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in China, India and Malaysia, we stage the leading events of their kind across the region. Our 200 events, 24 publications and 16 vertical portals serve over 1,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world with high-value face-to-face business-matching events, quality and instant market news and industry trends, and round-the-clock online trading networks and sourcing platforms. We have 1,000 staff in 21 major cities across Asia, stretching from Japan to Turkey.

5. About UBM plc

UBM plc is a leading global company. We inform markets and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online and in print, and provide them with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, and from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 6,600 staff in more than 31 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business effectively and efficiently.

6. About UBM Awards

UBM Awards and Partnerships is UBM plc's awards organiser and producer. Based in London, UBM Awards and Partnerships specialises in end-to-end delivery of cross-sector awards programmes and bespoke events worldwide. UBM Awards and Partnerships organises more than 30 awards and bespoke events annually including the UK's National Business Awards and National Sales Award.

For more information, contact:

JNA
UBM Asia (Hong Kong)
+852-2516-1630
[email protected]

SOURCE UBM Asia Ltd