The Jewelers Board of Trade reported that 119 U.S. jewelry retailers closed their doors in the first quarter of 2021.
That number represented a decrease from 238 closings in the first quarter of 2020.
The total included 89 retailers in the category of “ceased operations” as well as 26 “consolidations (sale/merger)” and four bankruptcies.
The total number of U.S. jewelry businesses that closed, including retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers, was 144. That was a decrease from 291 in the first quarter of 2020.
Meanwhile, JBT reported that 30 new retailers opened their doors in the U.S., down from 39 in the first quarter of 2020.
The total number of new jewelry businesses, including retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers, was 33. That was down from 48 new businesses in the year-ago quarter.
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JBT listed a total of 18,263 jewelry retailers in the U.S. as of the first quarter of 2021, down from 18,532 in the same quarter a year ago.
The group listed 24,095 jewelry businesses in all, including retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers. That was down from 24,464 in the first quarter of 2020.
Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
