Press Releases

Retail Jewelers Organization Reaches 1,000 Members

‘We are incredibly excited to have reached this milestone.’

Published

6 years ago

February 27, 2019

INSTORE Staff

NEWTON, IA — Retail Jewelers Organization is celebrating reaching 1,000 retail members in February.

RJO was founded in 1966 by jeweler Grant Johnson and 14 other independent jewelers in response to regional and national jewelry store chains threatening the livelihood of independent jewelry stores.

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With the firm foundation set by Johnson, RJO has grown both in depth and breadth, steadily gaining momentum to become a leader in the jewelry industry.

“RJO has grown into a nationally recognized name in the jewelry industry. We are proud of our roots, of our growth, and of our future in the industry,” said RJO CEO Sarah Streb. “We are incredibly excited to have reached this milestone. Throughout our existence our retail members, in collaboration with our vendor partners, have been the drive behind every decision at RJO.”

RJO Membership Coordinator Erin Sharp agrees with Streb. “RJO started amongst friends and that has not changed along the way. I love how supportive our members and vendors are, not only of RJO, but of each other. They all truly care about making sure RJO not only thrives but continues to flourish – and 1,000 members strong is a true reflection of that.”

“It is a testament to the strength of our organization,” says Streb.

“Driven by the forward thinking of our founders, reaching this milestone allows us to strengthen the foundation in which they built, providing annual dividends, educational support and collective buying power to further the success of all our RJO members.”

RJO has retail stores in every state in the U.S. except Hawaii. “I think that will be my new goal for 2019,” said Sharp.

For more information on becoming a member of RJO, contact Erin Sharp at 1-800-247-1774 or erin@rjomembers.com.

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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.