The Choice Is Yours

Published

15 years ago

May 3, 2009

Pick a strategy and go with it. It’s you who will most determine how your year will be.

Hard to believe it’s June already. (Though I’m actually writing this in the first week in May, after eight years of this, I really do feel I live in a not-very-distant future where my "present" is the moment you crack open this magazine.)

So, let me say it again — it is hard to believe it’s June already.

By now, you’re probably emerging from the gloom of fall and winter — between Geithner’s "green shoots," the rebound of the stock market, and more sales (for the first time in 2009, the number of jewelers in our monthly business survey reporting that their business was the same or better was more than 50 percent). Then there was the energy and hopefulness shown at our own Smart Jewelry Show in Chicago in April.

(My mini-review: a great event, most notable for the incredibly positive attitudes of both the retailers and vendors attending. Were you all just showing "the instore spirit," or is it instore showing your spirit? See more online at www.instoremag.com/smartshow, or read what people learned from the show on page 103.)

Have you decided what kind of year it’s going to be? "The Era of New Austerity"? Or "Happy Days Are Here Again"?

How do you plan to play this year? Go aggressively to gain market share? Buy normally? Buy cautiously in case the "green shoots" were a false spring? Or will it be another year of The Turtle Strategy? (a.k.a. "I ain’t buying anything ’til I sell what I got.")

The right answer will be different in different markets. But whatever choice you make, commit to it and maintain your commitment to doing everything better.

Wishing you the very best business …

David Squires

dsquires@instoremag.com

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”