(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK — What’s true in other industries may not always apply to the jewelry industry. However, what is universal across all industries is that companies who do not embrace technology to fuel their businesses will be left behind. This month, The Plumb Club podcasts focus on technologies in production, customer experience and omni-channel marketing in order to help retailers tell both their product stories and brand stories. December also features a special third podcast addition to the library. This month’s topics:
The Digital Transformation: Today, “Digital” is a MUST for business. A company’s digital footprint impacts how it is perceived by potential customers. Derek Kristopher helps retailers understand their company’s digital footprint. He goes through the various touchpoints that can impact perception and provides excellent tips on how to review it, manage it, develop and improve it. Further he provides an omni-channel perspective and ideas on how to augment perception by providing a virtual customer experience. Derek Kristopher is the associate director of marketing for S.D.C Designs, one of the largest manufacturers and distributers in the American market.
Maximizing The Experience: Brian Howard illustrates the importance of augmenting the customer experience by integrating technology into a presentation. He discusses how hologram technology and virtual “Try It On” features help alleviate consumer concerns and ease purchase decisions by building confidence and demonstrating what pieces look like from various perspectives and how they will look when being worn. Brian Howard is the vice president of sales and marketing for Shah Luxury, a company that strives to produce world-class jewelry that not only appeals to the most discerning clients in the US and Canada, but to those in markets across the globe.
Understanding The Benefits Of Extruded Tubing and Machine Setting: Steven Lerche helps the listener understand the processes of extruded tubing and machine setting and how these methods differ from casting and hand setting. He highlights the features and benefits of both techniques, discusses the precision and uniformity of machine setting and helps correct some commonly held misconceptions about the process. Steven Lerche is the vice president of sales and operations for Goldstar Jewellery, a premier manufacturing company that has firmly etched itself a leading position as a preferred supplier to most major national and multi-national retail jewelry brands.
The Plumb Club podcasts, which are added monthly, provide strategies, knowledge and immediately actionable steps that will help retailers across a variety of business areas. The newest podcasts, as well as the previous ones, are available on The Plumb Club website under the “Resources” tab. Check here.
Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
