Editor's Note

The INSTORE Show Wowed Attendees with Strong Exhibitors and Stellar Education

The 2024 dates are set for August 11-12 (pre-show conference on Aug. 10).

Published

2 months ago

September 28, 2023

Trace Shelton Instore October 2023 Issue

THE FIRST INSTORE Show is in the books … and it was one to remember!

In mid-August, we welcomed many of you to Rosemont, IL, for an exciting new trade event. Those who attended told us loud and clear that they absolutely loved it.

The pre-show conference was so popular that several attendees told me they were torn because so many great topics were being covered that they couldn’t decide which session to attend. (My suggestion for the future: Bring staff members to take notes!)

Our keynote speaker, Marcus Collins, captivated attendees with his message about how culture influences how and why we buy — so much so, in fact, that some told me that they wished we had promoted it more heavily. (My suggestion: Be sure events@email-instoremag.com is on your Safe Senders list and watch for our show-related ads!)

The Bench Pressure Challenge provided fascinating theater (congratulations to our winners, Jimmy Butts and Shayna Egan!); many thanks to the team at MJSA for coordinating such a fun event, and to retailer Mark Loren for emceeing the action. Bench jewelers deserve to be celebrated.

Our exhibitors did brisk business overall, and everyone was buzzing about our networking events. It was especially rewarding to recognize our 2023 America’s Coolest Stores winners live at the “Play It Cool Party.”

If you weren’t able to attend this year, mark your calendar for Aug. 11-12, 2024 (pre-show conference on Aug. 10)! You won’t want to miss it!

Now Introducing The INSTORE Show, Coming to the Chicago Area in 2023!

Trace Shelton

Editor-in-Chief, INSTORE
trace@smartworkmedia.com

Five Smart Tips You’ll Find in This Issue

1Consider offering “loaner jewelry” to your best customers for their holiday parties. (You’ll need to work out the insurance aspects beforehand.) (Manager’s To-Do, p. 26)
2Create a wedding band mailer that shows the client a picture of what their wedding band would be (based on the engagement ring they purchased). (The Big Story, p. 38)
For every Item you purchase off the street, create a ticket detailing check number, customer last name, accounting cost, and market or replacement cost. (David Geller, p. 64)
Before trying added measures to move old inventory, re-price it to reflect current market value. (David Brown, p. 68)
If you haven’t done a store refresh in five years and you have more than five years left on your lease, it’s time to renovate. (Ask INSTORE, p. 64)

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.”