UNDERSTANDING THE WHY
Excellent article you wrote for INSTOREMAG.COM on gold at $5,000. What a great overview of mindset, reasons and food for thought. I feel lucky to be a retailer as I am able to help the consumer navigate in any market condition. Having knowledge of “the why” really helps in helping staff and clients feel comfortable in these volatile times. In reality, all times are volatile, but it’s more comfortable to do business when you understand. Especially helping clients with custom work and special occasions with longer time windows; they better understand a price range estimate. Planning inventory purchases, pricing and margins, we will need to adjust our expectations while being mindful of cash flow. — Gary S., High Point, NC
DISAPPOINTED IN INSTORE
As a long-standing subscriber, I was genuinely disturbed by the final page feature in your most recent issue of INSTORE. Highlighting a jeweler who proudly advertises political ideology throughout his store and boasts of having spent “thousands upon thousands” supporting Donald Trump is wildly out of step with the role INSTORE has historically played in this industry. This was not insight, balance, or lifestyle commentary – it was political grandstanding, and it had no place in your publication.
Many of us rely on INSTORE for informed, professional guidance and industry leadership. Featuring content that celebrates divisive politics — particularly amid the real harm and instability currently affecting so many communities — signals a serious lapse in editorial judgment and raises questions about the values being endorsed.
We expect better from a publication we have supported for years. I sincerely hope this was an isolated misstep and not indicative of a broader editorial direction, as content choices like this force subscribers to reconsider the value and alignment of their continued support. — Jen D., Allentown, PA
EDITOR’S REPLY: Thanks for writing, Jen. Our publication is and always has been apolitical. Our job, particularly in a section like “That’s Life,” is to tell jewelers’ stories. The story of our February subject, Barry Fixler, simply could not have been told without a reference to his support for Trump; it’s a huge part of his life. We hope readers will understand that, whether they agree with his politics or not. — Trace Shelton
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GROWTH PLAN
I really liked the article, “Growth is Earned,” by Sherry Smith! It’s not enough to say you want a particular growth trajectory, but one needs to examine the various actions it takes to get there. “Growth is not a birthright; it’s a byproduct of intentional decisions.” — Angela C., Atascadero, CA
STOP THE PREACHING
I am sick of so-called experts that have never worked retail telling us how to sell lab-grown diamonds and that we shouldn’t or how the value keeps coming down. The customer is asking for them, so we should not sell them? This is maybe the Pandora for this decade, but one thing they offer over natural: a reasonable profit and even online sellers are selling at a profit. Everyone happy. Want us to sell more natural, bring the costs down. Or stop whining like a hurt puppy about the state of the industry. — David B., Calgary, AB
GOLD WORRIES
Not sure how 2026 pans out, but at least I have enough inventory to hold tight if gold keeps on skyrocketing. This can’t be good for anyone at these prices. — Marc M., Midland, TX
WE LOVE INSTORE
I always find something useful, since Day One. Thank you for the pleasure your magazine has given to me over the years. — Frank I., Staten Island, NY
Love INSTORE for every day of the week in February or a rare calendar event. Interested to see if Saturday Valentine’s Day sales are better than Friday the 13th sales. — Allison L., Rock Hill, SC
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