Way Cool

Published

16 years ago

July 2, 2008

What makes a store ?cool??

That’s the question we’re trying to answer, with the help of a panel of expert judges, in this year’s premier edition of ?America’s Coolest Stores?.

Some stores have cool owners. Some stores have cool stories. Some stores have cool products. And some stores are just amazing places to be. We think you’ll see stores of all types in this special feature. And we hope you enjoy them. It would be great if our winners provide a launching point for great things to do in your own store.

And remember that next year, we’ll be doing an all-new ?America’s Coolest Stores? awards issue. All-new means no repeat winners, which means a bunch of different stores will have their chance in the spotlight. (And don’t forget, we’ll also be continuing our popular monthly series, ?Cool Stores?.) So if you own a cool store, know one, or even happened to pass one that looked cool from your car at 80 miles per hour, just let us know and we’ll do the rest.

Speaking of cool, we’re introducing the usual array of cool new stuff in the current issue: including columns from sales gurus Shane Decker and Dave Richardson, as well as a new column on branding your business from Bob Olmstead. We’ve also started a new section in which we’ll review a new business book each month that we think will make a difference in the way your run your store. (Have any books that have changed the way you run your store? Tell us at Click here.)

Plus, we’ve got additional new features and columns starting next month ? including an expanded ?economic barometer? section as well as an expanded how-to section giving you an overview of the issues jewelers want to know about most ? for instance, offering a private-label credit card in your store.

We’ve also got some timely ?one-off? features for next month’s ?Holiday Buying? issue, including an expanded look at the hottest holiday jewelry styles at a wide range of price points, as well as a compilation of our best selling advice for this Christmas season.

Yep, the most exciting part of the year is about to start. And we’ll be right there with you. Promise.

Wishing you the very best business,

David Squires
Executive Editor and Associate Publisher
Click here

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”