Editor's Note

Can We Just Talk About Jewelry For A Change?

INSTORE editor-in-chief previews the June issue and Online Jewelry Week.

Published

4 years ago

June 1, 2020

Trace Shelton Instore June 2020 Issue

“WHEN CAN WE get back to talking about jewelry?”

That’s the question on everyone’s minds, I think, since soon after the COVID-19 pandemic began. We’re all tired of worrying about our health, worrying about our businesses, and wondering when or if we’ll ever be able to get back to life as normal. If only we had some new awe-inspiring jewelry designs to distract us from these weighty concerns!

Good news: You’ll find just such jewelry in this issue. That’s right, it’s our fifth annual INSTORE Design Awards, and boy, do we have some jaw-dropping pieces to show you this year!

You’ll also see our expanded New Arrivals section with four trends to watch in 2020. Usually, we cover these as trends to look for at the trade shows in Las Vegas, but this year, you’ll have to make do with seeing them in print and calling these suppliers to make sure you’ve got them in your showcases.

Speaking of trade shows, you’ve hopefully heard by now about INSTORE’s Online Jewelry Week, which featured a series of “desktop interviews” with jewelry suppliers, giving them a chance to show off their latest pieces. We also interviewed organizations and service providers and offered free education. It’s how we can bring the shows to you, since none of us are going to Las Vegas anytime soon. Check out instoremag.com/ojw for the video replays.

Huh … it seems we’re talking about jewelry after all! Let’s keep it up!

Can We Just Talk About Jewelry For A Change?

Trace Shelton

Editor-in-Chief, INSTORE
trace@smartworkmedia.com

Five Smart Tips You’ll Find in This Issue

1. Do a sensory audit of your store. Clean carpets, change the air filter and service your AC if needed. (Manager’s To-Do, p. 32)

2. Ask holiday customers to bring in their jewelry for a free six-month checkup. (Manager’s To-Do, p. 32)

3. If a client reaches to shake hands, tell them, “I’m so glad you came in. We’ll shake hands when we can. Let’s pretend we did.” (Ask INSTORE, p. 76)

4. When coming into a team-sale opportunity, arrive on the same side of the case as the client and always on their right. (Shane Decker, p. 79)

5. Fill the bottom of showcases with coffee or cocoa beans, candy, aquarium rocks or thin marble tiles to add contrast for jewelry. (Denise Oros, p. 74)

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”