Editor's Note

If You Haven’t Already Registered for The INSTORE Show, Here’s Why You Should Do It Right Now

The best vendors and unmatched learning opportunities await.

Published

2 years ago

July 5, 2023

Trace Shelton Instore July 2023 Issue

I’M MORE EXCITED than ever for The INSTORE Show in August. I’ve heard from many of you that you will be there, and I can’t wait to catch up. More importantly, I believe you’ll leave the show with a wealth of new knowledge, new friends and an assortment of beautiful jewelry to put in your showcases for 4th Quarter.

First and foremost, The INSTORE Show is a buying show. We’ve built the show to make it easy for you to shop: At just over 200 booths, it won’t be difficult to navigate, and no single booth is larger than 10 feet by 20 feet. More importantly, we’ve filled those booths with the top manufacturers, wholesalers and service providers in the industry — many of whom you see mentioned often in our “Hot Sellers” section.

But the INSTORE label also means the best educational program you’ll experience anywhere in the industry. Managing editor Eileen McClelland and I have made it our personal mission to bring you the most relevant business tips and advice. In fact, we started with the topics and then went out to find the best speakers for those subjects, most of whom are retail store owners who have shown success in those areas.

We have several new features for this show, as well as old favorites like The Bench Pressure Challenge and the Play It Cool Party. Learn all about it in The INSTORE Show Guide inside this very issue! We hope to see you in Rosemont next month!

Trace Shelton

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

Five Smart Tips You’ll Find in This Issue

Launch a “wow project” to add something special to each step of your sales process, from greeting to checkout. (Manager’s To-Do, p. 26)
Write down all the tasks that need attending to, then prioritize them, and finally spend an hour each week going over them to see your progress. (The Big Story, p. 34)
Make ring-sizer coasters with your logo to place in local bars. (Tip Sheet, p. 48)
Set up automated alerts to notify you when inventory levels reach a certain threshold. (Megan Crabtree, p. 56)
When clients say they’re “just looking,” use the pique technique to engage them with something mildly interesting so they’ll connect with you. (Ask INSTORE, p. 61)

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."