OUT WITH THE OLD, in with the new!
It’s not just the theme of the season; it’s the theme of this issue. What’s slowing down your store this spring — old inventory, old showroom décor, old ideas? We tackle all of those and more.
In our big story, managing editor Eileen McClelland shares 13 sale concepts for clearing the dogs from your showcases, moving estate jewelry or even simply priming the sales pump (with five additional ideas available online at instoremag.com). Then, in our second lead story, “Lean and Mean,” we dive into specific ways that jewelers can make their operations healthier by cutting costs in a variety of areas.
Elsewhere, contributing writer Becky Stone reveals 19 of the most fabulous looks in affordable fashion jewelry — a category that could lift your self-purchase sales and set the stage for future sales in fine jewelry. David Brown writes about more effectively managing debt, David Geller shares five fun sales contests to incentivize your staff, and new guest columnist Michelle Bailey discloses tips for building a millennial-friendly selling environment.
Much is made in our industry about the ongoing contraction of independent jewelry retailers — and yet specialty retail jewelry sales have remained static for the past decade. That means there’s a bigger piece of the pie out there for you if you’re willing to put in the work.
So unload some dead weight and put a spring in your step! The future looks bright!
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Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration
After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years."
Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations.
The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.
