The pandemic has changed the face of the jewelry industry, and a new, more customer-centric and user-friendly era has begun. With the U.S. jewelry market expected to grow by $18 billion over the next five years, what are the trends driving this growth and who are the customers who will be making these purchases? In this one-hour session, the panelists discuss the findings of the recent demographic and psychographic study conducted by The Plumb Club, including how consumers in each generation (Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials and Gen Zers) are motivated to buy, as well as how the pandemic, technology, lab-grown diamonds and a movement toward social responsibility are affecting purchasing.
Panelists include Sam Sandberg, president of The Plumb Club and chairman of A.Jaffe; Paola De Luca, founder of The Futurist; and Michael O’Connor, marketing director of The Plumb Club. Moderated by Trace Shelton, editor-in-chief, INSTORE.
Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently.
The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.
