AS FASCINATING as INSTORE’s annual Big Survey is in terms of compelling data and revealing business trends, it’s equally inspirational for the stories freely shared by you, our readers.
In the survey responses, you’ll read tales of courage, regret, loss and love. Readers share the things they wish they’d known when they were younger, stories of their greatest sacrifices, life philosophies, and much more.
Our readers’ honesty and vulnerability impress me. The fact that you’re willing to share your secrets — both professional and personal — with your fellow jewelers gives me hope for the future of independent jewelry retailers.
I’m similarly inspired by the recently created Facebook group called Jewelers Helping Jewelers. All-around jewelry dynamo Aleah Arundale of Olympian Diamonds in Chicago launched the page out of a desire to offer “a group for everyone, with no rules or fees.” As of early September, the group had over 1,000 members after only two months. Anything goes, from seeking advice on appraisals, equipment, designs or even selling your store to posting funny stories and job listings. It’s a delightful forum that embodies the spirit of sharing, and I hope to see you there.
If you’re not a member of our own group of jewelers who share, INSTORE’s Brain Squad (see story on page 86), or you didn’t take our Big Survey this year, please consider joining up and taking it next year! (Sign up for the Brain Squad here.)
We can all learn a lot from each other.
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Happy to be on board, and hope you enjoy the issue!
Trace Shelton
Editor-in-Chief, INSTORE
trace@smartworkmedia.com
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."
