[dropcap cap=L]ots of news this month so let’s get cracking. First off, if it isn’t already apparent, is a brand-new, thoroughly freshened version of your favorite magazine.[/dropcap]

For the last six months, we’ve been discussing how to make our contents sharper and more useful. We decided that some things were too long and needed to be shorter. And that some things were too short and needed to be longer. Others were simply getting a bit stale and needed to be shaken up. We also found a few new nooks and crannies where we could pack in additional useful ideas for you.

Here are a few new additions you’ll see in this issue (with more in the coming months):

A new monthly series, “Building the Store,” in which we follow Barry Benowitz of Gail Jewelers in Palm Desert, CA, as he constructs a new store.

A new watch column, “In Time,” designed to help you improve at selling watches by their details.

“Last Laugh,” a column we stole from our sister publication, indesign (which is focusing more this year on fine jewelry design) and that will be alternating with “True Tales” and even the occasional “In the End.”

Drop me an e-mail to let me know what you think. Dying to hear your reaction!

In other news, I’m proud to announce that, in November, FOLIO: magazine once again named instore the country’s very best business-to-business retail magazine. It was our third win in four years and we’re starting to think in terms of a dynasty.

Wishing you the very best business,

David Squires

Find me in the INSTORE community!