Big Survey

These Are the Issues That Matter Most for Jewelers

Nope, COVID-19 is not one of them.

Published

5 years ago

October 15, 2020

INSTORE Staff

THE TOP THREE issues for jewelers in the 2020 elections are the economy, taxes and healthcare, according to the 2020 INSTORE Big Survey, which polled more than 750 independent American jewelers in September and October.

Surprisingly, management of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has dominated headlines this year and was the catalyst for so much economic and social upheaval, came in at No. 8, tied with gun laws. (Note that The Big Survey was taken before President Donald Trump contracted the coronavirus and Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg died.)

Another issue, trade and tariffs, which had polled near the top of jewelers’ concerns last year when we asked a similar question in the 2019 Big Survey, had fallen well down the list, to the No. 14 spot.

The divergence in what was important to voters of different political stripes was stark. The top five issues for Trump supporters were the economy, taxes, government regulation, gun laws and national security (COVID-19 was 10th, tied with “social issues like diversity and racism”). For supporters of Democrat challenger Joe Biden, the top five were “social issues like racism and diversity”, climate change, health care, the economy and COVID-19.

And for the eight percent of voters who hadn’t made up their mind when we conducted the survey and who may yet decide who will lead the country come January 2021, the top issues were the economy, social issues, government regulation, taxes and foreign policy.

For all the results of the 2020 Big Survey, keep an eye out for the November issue of INSTORE. It should be landing on your doorstep around the end of October.

Question: What will be the most important issues for you in the election? Please choose three.

The economy and jobs
63%
Taxes
32%
Small business issues such as government regulation
28%
Health care
28%
Social issues like diversity, racism, empowering women
26%
Climate change
19%
Foreign policy
18%
Gun laws
16%
COVID-19
16%
Terrorism and national security
13%
Social Security
13%
National debt
12%
Immigration
11%
Trade and tariffs
9%
Breaking up the tech giants like Amazon, Facebook, Google
8%
Abortion rights
8%
Student debt
12%

COMMENT: Among the “Other” responses were restoring law and order, Supreme Court appointments and restoring unity in the country.

Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration

After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.