Tip Sheet: April 2004

Published

20 years ago

April 1, 2004

Instore presents ideas for better business

[contentheading]Try fitness centers for new showing spots[/contentheading]

Want a great place to show your jewelry? Try your local fitness center. Lots of people in new relationships there, and of course, everybody who goes there places a great deal of emphasis on how they look. (That sounds like your target market, doesn’t it?) Place a small display in the lobby and watch the sales roll in.

Source: Instore

[contentheading]Picture this[/contentheading]

Buy a camera … either a Polaroid or a digital. When you have a customer who really likes a piece, but just can’t pull the trigger on buying it, help them along by taking a picture of the item for them. (Consider photographing the customer wearing the item, for even more involvement.) Polaroid’s are easier and more permanent than digital shots. But they’re also more expensive — coming in at about a buck a pic.

Source: Instore

[contentheading]Google yourself[/contentheading]

Got a website? Well, have you Googled yourself lately? Search first for your store name. Then search for jewelers +the name of your town. (E.g. “jewelers +‘santa monica’”) Also try combinations like “diamond rings” + the name of your town. This will show you how easy it is for people to find you on the web. If you don’t score well, work on your web texts and increase the number of links your site has to outside websites.

Source: Mary Gillen, Idea Site For Business

[contentheading]Flaunt those custom designs[/contentheading]

If you do custom design, then it’s time to create your own “brag book.” Print images of all your creations on photo-quality paper and insert them into albums. Got a couple books? Great. Got two dozen? Even better. Now your customers can pore through all your books … fully satisfying their curiosity, giving them more ideas and and an even greater sense of involvement in the creative process.

Source: David Geller

[span class=note]This story is from the April 2004 edition of INSTORE[/span]

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”