Editor's Note

Editor’s Note Video: Smart Frugality — Save Money Without Sacrificing Growth

Frugality isn’t a dirty word — but austerity without a plan is.

Published

4 weeks ago

February 19, 2026

Trace Shelton Instore February 2026 Issue Online Extra

HOLIDAY JEWELRY SALES were up, but here’s the catch: traffic and total transactions were down. Growth came largely from higher tickets, fueled by precious metal prices and tariff pressures. In his latest Editor’s Note, Trace Shelton argues this is exactly the time for strategic cost-cutting — not panic-driven austerity. Save where it makes sense, but keep investing where it counts. When competitors pull back on marketing and ordering, that’s your opening. As Warren Buffett put it: be greedy when others are fearful.

Trace Shelton

Trace Shelton is the editor-in-chief of INSTORE magazine. He can be reached at [email protected].

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