Press Releases

Edge Retail Academy Announces Winner of Business Excellence Award

Falls jewelers wins William (Wag) Wagner Award.

Published

5 years ago

January 12, 2021

Press Releases

Spencer, Sam, Jane, Caleb Falls

(PRESS RELEASE) The Edge Retail Academy (ERA), the leading retail jewelry business advising company, announced that Sam and Jane Falls of Falls Jewelers have been awarded the third annual William (Wag) Wagner Business Excellence Award.

Falls Jewelers, a North Carolina family-owned business founded in 1990, is renowned for its top-notch customer care, expert custom jewelry design and unparalleled inventory mix.

David Brown, ERA president, commented “The Falls are very focused on diligently reviewing business metrics and applying best practices to make meaningful improvements to their store’s financial health. In 2020, this focus paid off; Falls Jewelers increased sales by 24% and raised gross profit by 28%, while reducing their aged inventory by 20%.”

Stephen Barnes, The Falls’s ERA Business advisor, added, “The Falls’ team embraced ERA’s strategies and tools; it was so effective that the jeweler is now debt free and looking to expand to a 2nd location in 2021.”

Sam Falls said “When we first started with ERA a year ago, we never dreamed our business would be in the financial position it is in now. I have a renewed passion for our business and tremendous hope for future successes.”

William (Wag) Wagner Business Excellence Award

The Business Excellence Award is given annually, to 1 retail jeweler that has achieved the most exceptional business growth in the past 12 months.

This is the third year that Edge Retail Academy has presented the William (Wag) Wagner Business Excellence Award. The winner in 2020 was
Rottermond Jewelers.

“The Award has two goals: (1) to acknowledge business excellence from independent retailers and (2) to honor the memory of long serving ERA Business Advisor William (Wag) Wagner, whose service, loyalty and advice went well beyond the expectations of our clients, his work colleagues and our company,” said Mr. Brown. “We honor Wag’s enormous integrity, sense of fair play and friendship.”

Wag passed away in September, 2018.

Edge Retail Academy presented Sam and Jane with the award and a check for $1000.

Closing With Confidence: How Bailey's Fine Jewelry Achieved Outstanding Results With Wilkerson

When Trey Bailey, President and CEO of Bailey's Fine Jewelry, decided to close the Crabtree location in Raleigh, North Carolina after 15 years, he knew the decision needed to be handled with intention and professionalism. The goal was clear: exit the location while maintaining financial strength and honoring the store's legacy. Having worked with Wilkerson successfully in the past, Bailey understood the value of their comprehensive approach. "They understood both the emotional and financial sides of the store closing sale," Trey explains. "Their reputation for professionalism, results and care made it a very easy decision." The results exceeded expectations. Wilkerson helped Bailey's sell through significant inventory while maintaining the dignity of the closing process. "They don't just run a sale, they help close a chapter in the best way possible," Bailey says, strongly recommending Wilkerson to any jeweler facing a similar transition.