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ACS 2009: Fifth Place Big Cool, Manfredi Jewels

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Manfredi Jewels

GREENWICH, CT
URL: manfredijewels.com
OWNER: Roberto Chiappelloni
YEAR FOUNDED: 1988
EXPANDED FEATURED LOCATION: June 2008
ARCHITECT: Ron Gushue
STORE AREA: 3,300 square feet
INTERIOR BUILD-OUT COST: $1 million
EMPLOYEES: 11
SLOGAN: “Bringing the finest jewelry and watches in the world to the most sophisticated clientele in the world”

MANFREDI JEWELS’ name isn’t inaccurate, but might be anachronistic — which is ironic, because otherwise, Manfredi is literally one of the most timely stores in the world. The shop, in wealthy Greenwich, CT, started as a retail outlet for jewelry designer Giulio Manfredi, who grew up in the same northern Italian village as owner Roberto Chiappelloni, and while it still carries plenty of beautiful baubles, the bulk of its inventory consists of very high-end watches, some with a price tag above half a million dollars. That focus, combined with a serious commitment to customer care, has made Manfredi a go-to destination for clients from all over.

Five Cool Things About This Store

Watch Fans

1“I’m really fortunate to have employees who own 10 watches each or more,” Chiappelloni says. “They’re almost collectors themselves.” That translates into a passion for the merchandise that’s a must if you want to sell super-luxe timepieces. “With a lot of fashion jewelry, you don’t have to exhibit the same level of product knowledge you do with a watch,” says store manager David Goldsmith. But it’s necessary in this surprisingly small niche, he says. “Fine watches are a market that has yet to be exploited in the U.S. Sit down with a group of businessmen here, and half of them are still going to be wearing a Timex.”

In-House Repairs

2Chief master watchmaker Laif Anderson leads a repair department that handles about 90 percent of the watch problems they’re faced with — meaning customers don’t have to go weeks with bare wrists while their repair travels to the factory and back. And Anderson deals with clients directly. “Laif could be a salesperson,” sales associate Robert Weintraub says. “That’s important, because dealing with repairs can be very frustrating, but he can explain everything to clients.”

Side-by-Side Selling

3 A renovation and expansion in 2008 gave the space an elliptical UFO-like shape that allows the store to showcase dozens of lines, which presents its own challenges. “Setting up these brands is like seating relatives at a wedding,” Chiappelloni says. “They have personalities.” The new layout lets staff work right next to clients, however, easing the process. “We have a philosophy that we are more literally than any other store on the client’s side,” Goldsmith says.

DIY Sessions

4“I’ll gladly open up a customer’s watch and show them the movements,” says Anderson. And at store parties, clients have gotten the chance to try it themselves. “We give them tools and a lab coat, and they get an appreciation for what really goes into making a fine watch — how intricate the parts are,” says Chiappelloni.

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House Calls

5“Greenwich has a lot of beautiful old clocks, and they require a lot of maintenance,” says Chiappelloni. To that end, specialist Mark Ufberg makes house calls, approximately once a week or more.

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Call Upon Your Staff’s Talents

GIVING AN EMPLOYEE the chance to show off a non-work-related talent can be good for everyone. Robert Wein-traub is a trained opera singer, and Manfredi harnesses his talents on a regular basis. “I always have a song ready to go, and have no qualms about singing a cappella,” he says. “I’d be stupid not to do it. Clients remember me, and I’ve even had some come see me perform with the symphony.”

Cater To Collectors

IN 2008 Manfredi began hosting a small group of watch-collector clients (usually 10 to 14) and serving a four-course  meal inside the store complete with a presentation from a world-class watchmaker and an opportunity to handle (and in one case, even disassemble!) the newest introductions from the world’s great watch companies. Each guest receives a gift at the end of the evening, a cashmere scarf or a professional watchmaker’s toolkit, for example.

What the Judges Say

ACS 2009: Fifth Place Big Cool, Manfredi JewelsSARAH READ: This doesn’t look like a jewelry store and it works. The overall appeal is futuristic but done in a classic way.

TODD REED: This store has a consistent look and feel. They have many top lines and seem to be a true representative of the work they sell.

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MICHAEL M. CLARKE: The approach to the salon suggests that something special is inside. The layout fulfills the promise. The use of color and space allows the clients to get up close and personal with the jewelry and the jeweler.

ADAM GRAHAM: Very cool elliptical interior space design with all of the branded wall cases. And an opera-singing sales associate — every store should have one!

KATY BRIGGS: I can’t say enough about their memorable ad campaign and beautifully executed catalog. Their strategic marketing is spot on and sets them apart with smart messaging and visual sophistication.

STORE IMAGES

{igallery id=”2157″ cid=”198″ pid=”1″ type=”classic” children=”1″ showmenu=”1″ tags=”” limit=”10″}

This story is from the August 2009 edition of INSTORE

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When third-generation jeweler Sam Sipe and his wife Laura decided to close Indianapolis’ historic J.C. Sipe Jewelers, they turned to Wilkerson to handle their retirement sale. “The conditions were right,” Sam explains of their decision to close the 139-year-old business. Wilkerson managed the entire going-out-of-business sale process, from marketing strategy to sales floor operations. “Our goal was to convert our paid inventory into retirement funds,” notes Sam. “The results exceeded expectations.” The Sipes’ advice for jewelers considering retirement? “Contact Wilkerson,” Laura says. “They’ll help you transition into retirement with confidence and financial security.”

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ACS 2009: Fifth Place Big Cool, Manfredi Jewels

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Manfredi Jewels

GREENWICH, CT
URL: manfredijewels.com
OWNER: Roberto Chiappelloni
YEAR FOUNDED: 1988
EXPANDED FEATURED LOCATION: June 2008
ARCHITECT: Ron Gushue
STORE AREA: 3,300 square feet
INTERIOR BUILD-OUT COST: $1 million
EMPLOYEES: 11
SLOGAN: “Bringing the finest jewelry and watches in the world to the most sophisticated clientele in the world”

MANFREDI JEWELS’ name isn’t inaccurate, but might be anachronistic — which is ironic, because otherwise, Manfredi is literally one of the most timely stores in the world. The shop, in wealthy Greenwich, CT, started as a retail outlet for jewelry designer Giulio Manfredi, who grew up in the same northern Italian village as owner Roberto Chiappelloni, and while it still carries plenty of beautiful baubles, the bulk of its inventory consists of very high-end watches, some with a price tag above half a million dollars. That focus, combined with a serious commitment to customer care, has made Manfredi a go-to destination for clients from all over.

Five Cool Things About This Store

Watch Fans

1“I’m really fortunate to have employees who own 10 watches each or more,” Chiappelloni says. “They’re almost collectors themselves.” That translates into a passion for the merchandise that’s a must if you want to sell super-luxe timepieces. “With a lot of fashion jewelry, you don’t have to exhibit the same level of product knowledge you do with a watch,” says store manager David Goldsmith. But it’s necessary in this surprisingly small niche, he says. “Fine watches are a market that has yet to be exploited in the U.S. Sit down with a group of businessmen here, and half of them are still going to be wearing a Timex.”

In-House Repairs

2Chief master watchmaker Laif Anderson leads a repair department that handles about 90 percent of the watch problems they’re faced with — meaning customers don’t have to go weeks with bare wrists while their repair travels to the factory and back. And Anderson deals with clients directly. “Laif could be a salesperson,” sales associate Robert Weintraub says. “That’s important, because dealing with repairs can be very frustrating, but he can explain everything to clients.”

Side-by-Side Selling

3 A renovation and expansion in 2008 gave the space an elliptical UFO-like shape that allows the store to showcase dozens of lines, which presents its own challenges. “Setting up these brands is like seating relatives at a wedding,” Chiappelloni says. “They have personalities.” The new layout lets staff work right next to clients, however, easing the process. “We have a philosophy that we are more literally than any other store on the client’s side,” Goldsmith says.

DIY Sessions

4“I’ll gladly open up a customer’s watch and show them the movements,” says Anderson. And at store parties, clients have gotten the chance to try it themselves. “We give them tools and a lab coat, and they get an appreciation for what really goes into making a fine watch — how intricate the parts are,” says Chiappelloni.

Advertisement

House Calls

5“Greenwich has a lot of beautiful old clocks, and they require a lot of maintenance,” says Chiappelloni. To that end, specialist Mark Ufberg makes house calls, approximately once a week or more.

          TRY THIS

Call Upon Your Staff’s Talents

GIVING AN EMPLOYEE the chance to show off a non-work-related talent can be good for everyone. Robert Wein-traub is a trained opera singer, and Manfredi harnesses his talents on a regular basis. “I always have a song ready to go, and have no qualms about singing a cappella,” he says. “I’d be stupid not to do it. Clients remember me, and I’ve even had some come see me perform with the symphony.”

Cater To Collectors

IN 2008 Manfredi began hosting a small group of watch-collector clients (usually 10 to 14) and serving a four-course  meal inside the store complete with a presentation from a world-class watchmaker and an opportunity to handle (and in one case, even disassemble!) the newest introductions from the world’s great watch companies. Each guest receives a gift at the end of the evening, a cashmere scarf or a professional watchmaker’s toolkit, for example.

What the Judges Say

ACS 2009: Fifth Place Big Cool, Manfredi JewelsSARAH READ: This doesn’t look like a jewelry store and it works. The overall appeal is futuristic but done in a classic way.

TODD REED: This store has a consistent look and feel. They have many top lines and seem to be a true representative of the work they sell.

Advertisement

MICHAEL M. CLARKE: The approach to the salon suggests that something special is inside. The layout fulfills the promise. The use of color and space allows the clients to get up close and personal with the jewelry and the jeweler.

ADAM GRAHAM: Very cool elliptical interior space design with all of the branded wall cases. And an opera-singing sales associate — every store should have one!

KATY BRIGGS: I can’t say enough about their memorable ad campaign and beautifully executed catalog. Their strategic marketing is spot on and sets them apart with smart messaging and visual sophistication.

STORE IMAGES

{igallery id=”2157″ cid=”198″ pid=”1″ type=”classic” children=”1″ showmenu=”1″ tags=”” limit=”10″}

This story is from the August 2009 edition of INSTORE

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SPONSORED VIDEO

Retiring? Let Wilkerson Do the Heavy Lifting

Retirement can be a great part of life. As Nanji Singadia puts it, “I want to retire and enjoy my life. I’m 78 now and I just want to take a break.” That said, Nanji decided that the best way to move ahead was to contact the experts at Wilkerson. He chose them because he knew that closing a store is a heavy lift. To maximize sales and move on to the next, best chapter of his life, he called Wilkerson—but not before asking his industry friends for their opinion. He found that Wilkerson was the company most recommended and says their professionalism, experience and the homework they did before the launch all helped to make his going out of business sale a success. “Wilkerson were working on the sale a month it took place,” he says. “They did a great job.”

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