core sector communique

EQC launches Training Center™ for luxury retail staff Programmes aim to prepare students for jobs in luxury industry Antwerp, April 10, 2012 -- The European Quality Circle (EQC), an organisation that focuses on organizing buyers groups, increasing sales, improving profitability and enhancing consumer confidence in the jewellery industry, announced it will be offering training programmes to existing and future retail staff members of the luxury product sector through its new EQC Training Centre™ (EQC-TC™). EQC CEO Eyal Atzmon said EQC-TC™ would serve luxury retailers aiming to boost sales, improve their management skills as well as those of their staff. The programmes will cater both to students with experience in luxury retailing, as well as to individuals aiming to work in luxury product retailing and to develop a successful career. "As someone who has operated for many years within the wholesale and retail diamond, gem and jewellery business, I frequently saw these businesses' needs for operators and staff members with suitable skills and experience in the luxury product sector. Therefore, setting up training programmes and modules is in line with EQC's mission. Our aim is to locate, engage and service like-minded retailers who wish to sell top-quality products, provide the best customer service, and, as a result, enhance consumer confidence in luxury products," Atzmon noted. EQC's decision to venture beyond the jewellery and watch sector came from the work floor. "Often, when we are screening, interviewing, and training staff members for jobs in jewellery retail operations, shop owners and trainees alike express their desire for training that will enable them also to venture out into other luxury retail product categories," Atzmon added. EQC-TC™ will be offering focused training programmes for a number of luxury retail sectors, initially jewellery and watches, to be followed by cosmetics, optometry, as well as high fashion and accessories. The diamond and gem training programmes are provided by HRD Antwerp NV. HRD Antwerp operates an internationally renowned gemmological Institute that issues diamond, gemstone and jewellery identification reports, organizes diamond and gem grading courses worldwide, and develops state-of-the-art equipment for the diamond industry and trade. EQC-TC™ will offer its curriculum in English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Chinese and Hebrew. EQC-TC™will also take EQC's current training programmes under its wing and make all of them available beyond the EQC's membership. In response to numerous requests from insurance agencies, it will, among others, provide customized security training for gem dealers, wholesalers, retailers and their staff. The EQC-TC™ training programmes are being launched on May 1st. Once students complete their training they will be provided with the EQC Passport™. "It is our endeavour to make the EQC Passport™ an indispensable document that will become part of the graduates' CVs when searching for a position in the luxury industry," Atzmon said. "Retailers will know that candidates in possession of the EQC Passport™ have been carefully chosen, screened and trained, and therefore have the best cards to perform well, both in sales and in management, from their very first day on the job," he added. A new, unique training and consulting programme offered by EQC-TC™ aims to assist European firms targeting the Chinese luxury market to find staff and train them to work in China. In association with its strategic partner in China, EQC-TC™ will offer similar training modules to Chinese companies with an interest in establishing retail operations in Europe.

About EQC The European Quality Circle (EQC) was established as a trade body that brings jewellery retailers together in buyers groups, organized according to region, product identity and other relevant parameters in order to leverage their combined forces for the purchase of diamonds, gemstones and finished jewellery. EQC has since evolved into an organization that facilitates an all-encompassing model of collaboration between the jewellery industry and consumers. While the organization and management of buyer groups remains one of EQC's chief services,EQC and its members recognize that consumers are the most vital link in our supply chain. Therefore, by protecting and assisting the consumer, we sustain our industry and safeguard our livelihoods. As such, one of EQC's most important roles is to demonstrate to consumers that EQC members are professional, care about their well-being as well as their pocketbook, maintain the highest integrity, and supply products that are well worth every penny spent. EQC members have the privilege of displaying the EQC seal that carries the words "Inspiring Confidence" on their shop's display windows and doors.