It's a case of trying to appeal to the masses rather than concentrate on your niche market. In this instance, the niche market is huge. By trying to appeal to the masses, Cooksons are diluting their product range, not enhancing it. They might gain a few people to buy the sparklies and the plated but there are lots of companies already selling to them and, therefore, customer loyalty is not a given. In the precious metal market in this country choice is limited and once a customer is won s/he is likely to remain loyal. Dilute the product range too much, introduce too much tat, and Cooksons will lose their current customer base.

If they really want to strike out and enhance their product range in a way that will bring in more customers and more pennies they should take a look at Rio Grande. The first company to bring that breadth of choice to the serious jewellery market over here will make a fortune!