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“We have a history of outstanding resilience, and while this may be one of our biggest tests yet, the future is full of opportunity.”

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group

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Diamond Insight Flash Report Summary

De Beers Group is working actively in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic to understand the consumer perspective and monitor how this evolves as we pass through the stages of the crisis.

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The Future Laboratory: The Shape of Luxury Brands to Come

Brand and Consumer Futures

The coronavirus crisis will force the industry to think more creatively and innovate even faster to meet a host of new consumer demands and channel constraints. There will be a recovery for the luxury market but the industry will be profoundly transformed.

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Case Study: Innovations in Retail

With the rapid growth of digital sales channels and an increasing appetite for personalisation, especially by Millennial and Gen-Z consumersi, how will the world of retail change?

A glimpse of a possible future is provided by new market entrant Gemist, based in Los Angeles, in which De Beers Group Ventures has invested. This disruptor, founded by serial entrepreneur Madeline Fraser, enables online shoppers to design their own diamond jewellery, meeting the growing desire for creating a unique, personal bridal ring. It also offers a ‘try-before-you-buy’ service that helps consumers commit by addressing the risk of buying online without seeing the design on your finger.

Consumers can order up to three rings in the style of their choice to be delivered using inexpensive silver or gold plate and Swarovski crystal in place of precious stones. They can keep them for two weeks before taking the plunge on the real thing. Replica earrings are on the way.

Capturing the zeitgeist, Gemist also promises that ‘all of our stones are ethically sourced’ and commits to sustainability.

Business has been brisk, especially since lockdown: this year the company has seen an over 400 per cent increase in digital users and a 1,200 per cent surge in orders of try-on rings. It’s early days, but could this be the shape of things to come?

Footnotes

i See De Beers Group 2019 Diamond Insight Report