These Are the Issues That Matter Most for Jewelers

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.