Editor's Note

In Uncertain Times, Keep a Weather Eye Out

The rising price of gold, falling prices of lab-grown diamonds and upcoming presidential election are causing trepidation among jewelry retailers.

Published

4 months ago

May 26, 2024

Trace Shelton Instore June 2024 Issue

“IF THERE’S ONE thing that’s certain in business, it’s uncertainty.” So said Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He wouldn’t be surprised, then, with how things currently stand in the jewelry sphere.

While North American jewelry retailers overall continue to do well from a sales perspective, a few key factors are causing some unrest among store owners.

First on the minds of many is the skyrocketing price of gold. As of this writing, gold is trading at $2,324 per ounce, an increase of nearly 15% year over year. And the price may rise even further. And yet, it seems even rising prices can’t stop consumer demand for gold jewelry.

The second factor is the plummeting price of lab-grown diamonds. According to jewelry analytics firm Tenoris, prices fell about 20% in 2023, and some believe they could fall another 50-80%. Many retailers are refocusing their efforts on promoting and selling mined diamonds as a result.

Lastly is the upcoming presidential election. Regardless of the victor, elections always cause trepidation in the markets. However, consumer spending isn’t affected as much as many believe, if at all.

We can’t yet know the upshot of all of this, but we do know that the business owners who monitor events closely and are prepared to react as needed are likely to be most successful.

So batten down the hatches, keep a weather eye out, and there’s every chance you’ll sail through this season of volatility unscathed.

Now Introducing The INSTORE Show, Coming to the Chicago Area in 2023!

Trace Shelton

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

Five Smart Tips You’ll Find in This Issue

Organize a community block party to generate traffic. (Manager’s To-Do, p. 34)
Place a few wedding bands in your engagement ring cases to remind associates to try to sell them at the same time. (Manager’s To-Do, p. 34)
Cross-train your staff more so that your business isn’t as affected when someone takes time off. (Ask INSTORE, p. 98)
Examine every area of your business with a goal of improving each one by a small percentage. (David Brown, p. 98)
Create a “Summer Clearance” showcase to clear out old inventory ahead of holiday buying. (Megan Crabtree, p. 104)

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”