Readers Sound Off About Expectations for 2023

• I thought it was really great getting the perspective of people over 80 who have had such a passion for the industry for so long, but I’d really love to hear from the Millennial and Gen Zers on how they are pushing the industry forward. — Becky B., Peabody, MA
• We wish everyone a wonderful year! And we are hoping for, nationally, a calmer, more settled mood as we go forward. Also, we hope that next year, the holiday season will be free of worries about Covid. — Nancy and Pierre P., Swansea, MA
• The party’s over… As an industry we’ve been so fortunate through Covid. I can’t tell you how many customers I’ve talked with who just assumed the pandemic was a disaster for us and are shocked to discover it was quite the opposite. 2023? I may discover that I’m not the genius the pandemic made me out to be. — Bill E., Terre Haute, IN
• In 2022, we just focused on one day at a time. No guessing which weekend would be busy, no planning on good weather traffic. We did not get discouraged because a usual event in town did not bring the buyers in like usual. One day at a time! So much less stress. So that is our plan from here out. Bring it on 2023! — Ellie M., St. Michaels, MD
• Very pleased for myself, but apprehensive about the state of our world. The violence and assaults on jewelry stores is changing our approach toward open doors. Perhaps a pit of tigers under a rug would solve it. — J. Mason C., Chapel Hill, NC
• 2022 has been a struggle from selling product to having and finding staff. Then to getting customers in to shop with us… I am scared to see what 2023 will bring. It is our 75th anniversary and it may be our final. — Stacey G., Edson, AB
• The year of 2022 will be a sad memory for so many reasons. Christmas was good and bad, I lost 50 percent of my staff to personal life changes throughout the year and struggled to hire new qualified staff. Even today, I had to fire one that wasn’t working out. Yet tomorrow, one of my staff that left three months ago for a personal tragedy, is coming back to fill her old position. 🙂 We have big changes for 2023! As of tomorrow, I will have the best team assembled in 28 years! We are NOT buying from our vendors in the spring season (we have enough left from last year). We will design and create a lot more of our own jewelry and cut out vendor billing pressures during the time of year that cash flow is lowest, thus improving a cash flow and relieving financial stress. AND, I am taking several vacations that have not been realized for five years! — Bill L., McCook, NE
• 2022 and the season was disappointing in the fact we ran several promos that ended with no sales/interest. Revamping for 2023 in a new direction. — Trisha C., Lowell, MA
• We just started using the program Podium, which has really had a huge increase in our sales for very little monthly payment. Highly recommend it. — Rick W., South Jordan, UT
• Our overall year was great. We did our best year in our four years of business. We reached our first million in sales. — Elizabeth S., San Diego, CA
• We thought we would roll into 2023 with a bigger bang, but it seems the economy has our clientele afraid to purchase big-ticket items this year and they are saving their money to use after the markets correct themselves a little more. — Rebecca L., Ketchum, ID
• There was a snowstorm/ice situation that came through the week before the holidays and kept people at home! But the month was still good. Working towards retirement this year … taking more days off, more travel and family time. — Meg R., Edmonds, WA
• My year ended only 1.3 percent down from 2021, which was my best year EVER in the 38 years I’ve been in business. So I can’t complain! Looking forward to getting my website in tip-top shape, adding a few new designs to my inventory, and enjoying a work-life balance! — Janne E., Cocoa, FL
• The year ended blissfully calm. Sales were down, but spirits were high. I start each year fresh. Lay out the plan for the year which includes outside education for our assistant, trade and or gem shows (very excited about the INSTORE Show as we are only 90 miles away in Wisconsin), equipment purchases, and the like. I never focus on sales; I focus on what makes my company better than all my competition. We love what we do, and it shows in our work. I have bright hopes for 2023, but I am a “half full” kind of gal. — Jo G., Oconomowoc, WI
• I was pleased with 2022 overall. We were up 13 percent. It was very different from 2021 in many ways, but I feel as we roll into our shop’s fourth year, we have a firm footing with return customers, great word-of-mouth referrals and foot traffic. I’m projecting 10 percent growth this year. I will hold inventory steady but change up the mix a bit. Bracelets!! Suddenly, everyone is asking for bracelets! I’ll roll out some new bracelet designs this year. That will be fun! — Ellie T., Chicago, IL
• Let’s get the whole industry to phase out plastic baggie use. It will be a step in the right direct for renewable consumption and will trickle down into all our lives in other ways, too. — Laura Stanley, Laura S., North Little Rock, AR
• I have always been inspired by creativity of INSTORE. Can’t wait for the next issue. Really keeps our whole staff motivated. Great job, keep ‘em coming! — Chris H., Ephrata, WA
• INSTORE is THE publication for jewelers. Always on trend and full of awesome insight from other independent jewelers!! — Josh P., Wilmington, NC
• INSTORE Magazine is such an amazing resource for our industry. It should be encouraged reading for all store personnel! — Michael H., Honolulu, HI

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