Last-minute efforts can tip the holiday sales scales.
BY TRACE SHELTON
Your store won’t have the “it factor” this holiday season unless you dot your Is and cross your Ts. By now, your inventory and marketing strategies should be in place, but taking care of all the little things is what will really put your fourth quarter results over the top.
That’s where our lead story comes in. This holiday “how-to” provides last-minute tips and advice on merchandising, events, human resources, digital marketing, display, and even maintaining your personal well-being during the biggest jewelry shopping season of the year. From choosing the right scent to connecting with top customers, from semi-custom gift ideas to social media pointers, this one’s got everything you need to fire on all cylinders over the next couple of months.
If that’s not enough to prepare you for the holidays — and really, can you ever be too prepared? — check out our “Prime Numbers” section on Thanksgiving weekend shopping trends, Shane Decker’s column on making holiday selling fun, “Ask INSTORE” on holiday signage advice, and “New Arrivals” on the ring styles you absolutely have to have in your showcases this December.
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But none of these ideas means a thing by itself; you’ve got to put them into action. So take this knowledge and mix well with elbow grease. After all, only you and your team can make “it” happen. And when you do, “it” will begin to look a lot like (a profitable) Christmas!
This article originally appeared in the November 2014 edition of INSTORE.
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."
