As the global economy extends its recovery, and as emerging market economies make further progress in raising living standards for their large populations, higher continuing levels of consumer spending should bring increased demand for high-value artefacts, as indeed luxury good retailers around the world are already noticing. There should be increasing opportunities here for the gold industry to expand jewellery sales.
But, to reap the full benefits, it will be important that efforts are put into design quality, product innovation and plain, straightforward marketing. LBMA members might wish to reflect whether enough emphasis is placed on these key industry-support elements - particularly marketing. Industrial use of gold is smaller scale, but nonetheless not insignificant, and may also benefit from continuing global economic growth.