Big Survey

Jewelers Increasingly Less Likely to Stock Watches

More than 50 percent of jewelers continue to stock watches, but the trend is down amid surging Apple Watch sales and Rolex supply-chain shortages, according to the INSTORE 2021 Big Survey.

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2021

Chris Taylor

Jewelers Increasingly Less Likely to Stock Watches

Products that jewelers responding to the Big Survey carry.

WHEN REMINDED THAT in 2019 Apple Watch sales surpassed those of all Swiss watch makers, 26 percent of respondents to the Big Survey said they thought that the Apple Watch was “killing traditional watch sales,” while 30 percent said that the Apple product was having a “moderate negative impact.”

Just 1 percent said that Smartwatches had become “a nice little earner.”

The number of jewelers stocking watches has dropped by some 10 percent over the past decade, the Big Survey has found.

The 2021 Big Survey was carried out between August and September, attracting more than 600 anonymous responses from owners of independent jewelry stores across the United States and Canada. The full results will be published in the upcoming November issue of INSTORE.

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”