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Strong growth in demand from US consumers was the main driver for global sales of diamond jewellery in 2015. Consumer demand for diamond jewellery in the US – still comfortably the world’s largest market – hit a new record of $39bn in 2015. Chinese consumers also continued to increase their overall spend on diamond jewellery in 2015, both domestically and when purchasing overseas. The Japanese, Indian and Gulf consumer markets saw some declines in local currency terms, with the strength of the US dollar further impacting growth rates in US dollar terms.
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At constant currency, global consumer demand for diamond jewellery grew by two per cent. However, the strength of the US dollar during the year negatively impacted growth at actual exchange rates, with global consumer demand for diamond jewellery in US dollar terms reaching US$79 billion in 2015 – a two per cent decline on the record US$81 billion seen in 2014.
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Despite positive general macroeconomics in India, consumer demand for diamond jewellery dropped four per cent in 2015, as it was negatively affected by a number of factors, impacting overall consumer spending, including structural labour market issues and restricted consumer credit.
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Japanese consumer demand was broadly flat in 2015 in local currency. However, the Yen depreciation led to a double-digit decline (down 13 per cent) in US dollar terms. The jewellery retail trade benefitted from Chinese tourism spend, with Chinese visitor numbers doubling in 2015 compared with 2014.
The analysis of the polished diamond content (the value of diamonds measured in Polished Wholesale Prices in US dollars) in diamond jewellery consumed around the world shows that the US market, as the fastest growing in 2015, has gained share (from 42 per cent in 2014 to 45 per cent in 2015).
USD at Polished Wholesale Prices
The outlook for 2016 is driven by expectations of positive but subdued global economic growth, with a weakening of growth in emerging markets and a fragile recovery in the advanced economies. Downside risks are expected to prevail.
Among the top five consumer diamond markets in the world, the US is expected to continue to be the main driver of demand growth in 2016, sustained through moderately positive economic momentum and cautious consumer optimism.
Slightly weaker than expected sales over the 2014 holiday season in the United States and a slowdown in growth in China led to reduced purchases by retailers and hence left the midstream holding higher levels of inventory.
This led to a significant decline in rough diamond demand in the second half of 2015 as the midstream sought to rebalance the polished/rough inventory situation.
With a positive holiday selling season in the United States in 2015, the beginning of 2016 has seen an improvement in rough diamond demand. However, we continue to take a cautious approach in light of the fragile macroeconomic environment.
2015 Consumer Demand and Outlook for 2016 (PDF)
Media release (PDF)
Philippe Mellier interview (MP4 - broadcast quality)
B-roll footage (MP4 - broadcast quality)
Leadership Team photos (JPEG - hi-res)