Who Took This Survey

The 2020 Big Survey was launched in mid-August and ran for about six weeks. During that time, 875 North American jewelers (all owners or managers) attempted to complete the online form, with most of the questions attracting close to 550 answers. Here, we break down the types of jewelers who answered the questions, their locations, size, and the services they offer.

Published

23 years ago

October 26, 2000

INSTORE Staff Instore November 2020 Issue

67. How many stores do you operate?

1
90%
2
7%
3-5
2.7%
6 or more
0.3%

68. Where is your (main) store located?

In a mall
2%
In a strip mall
23%
On a downtown street
33%
In its own free-standing building
25%
In a lifestyle center
6%
Office building/Business park
5%
Home studio
2%
On the Internet
1.5%
Other (please specify)
2.5%

69. In what state is your (main) store located?

USA map

The 2020 Big Survey attracted responses from jewelers in 48 states and Canada. Florida contributed the most, while West Virginia and Delaware were not represented.

70. Where is your store located by region?

big survey 2020 -store locations by region

71. Which description of your business do you most closely identify with?

big survey 2020 data

72. Check the paid services offered by your store.

jewelry custom design illustration

Custom design
96%
Jewelry repairs
97%
Watch and clock repairs
63%
Engraving
71%
Other repairs (sunglasses, iPad screens, etc)
20%
Appraisals
86%
Consignment
37%
Jewelry rental
5%
Gold and other over-the-counter buying
76%
Jewelry safekeeping
5%
Other
2%

(Others included teaching metalsmithing, ear-piercing, trading gemstones and coins, jewelry restoration and other estate services, and loans on fine jewelry)

73. Which category most helps you stand out from your local competition?

Bridal
23%
Silver
1%
Estate
6%
Watches
3%
Colored gemstones
4%
Fashion jewelry
6%
Custom design
37%
Gold buying/pawn services
2%
Other
1%

74. How would you describe the market where your store is located?

Big urban market
10%
Suburban outskirts of a big urban market
15%
Medium-sized city (250,000-1 million people)
18%
Small city (25,000 to 250,000)
34%
Country town (up to 25,000)
18%
Resort area
4%
Other (please specify)
1%

75. What is the total square footage of your (main) store?

Less than 500 sq feet
4%
500-999 sq feet
18%
1,000-1,499 sq feet
21%
1,500-1,999 sq feet
17%
2,000-2,499 sq feet
9%
2,500-2,999 sq feet
9%
3,000-3,499 sq feet
6%
3,500-3,999 sq feet
3%
4,000-5,000 sq feet
5%
More than 5,000 sq feet
6%
NA
1.5%

76. How long has your business been in operation?

1-5 years
5%
6-10 years
5%
1-20 years
13%
21-30 years
16%
31-40 years
19%
41-50 years
15%
51-100
20%
100-150
5%
More than 150 years
1%

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”