Editor's Note

‘We Shall Overcome’ Is the Current Jewelry Industry Mantra

INSTORE’s editor-in-chief recognizes resilience, persistence and optimism among jewelry retailers.

Published

5 years ago

May 11, 2020

Trace Shelton Instore May 2020 Issue

RESILIENCE. PERSISTENCE. OPTIMISM.

These are the qualities that stood out to me about our readers while looking over the results of our most recent Brain Squad survey, conducted during the first days of April. By that point, almost all of our respondents were closed for business, and no one really knew when you might reopen. And yet, the prevailing mantra seemed to be, “We shall overcome.”

It’s often said that the jewelry industry is unique because so many of our component businesses are small businesses — often passed down from generation to generation. Longevity can provide a measure of faith that your business will survive difficult times, but I also think the family aspect imparts positivity in the face of hardship.

When you’re part of a family, you deal with the worst times together. Just as you’ve quarantined yourselves in your homes with your loved ones, you’re also huddling together figuratively with your store team via video conferencing and emails. Even as an industry, it feels like we’ve closed ranks, drawing strength from each other’s stories.

At INSTORE, it’s always been our responsibility to compile those stories and use them to inspire you to innovation, authenticity, and ultimately, greatness. When there is confusion, it’s up to us to seek out information and advice. When there is pessimism, it’s our job to impart positivity and humor. And when there is hopelessness, it’s our duty to bring hope.

We’re confident you’ll find those things in the pages that follow, as well as online at instoremag.com. Like you, we know we’ll make it through this together — and the best is yet to come!

‘We Shall Overcome’ Is the Current Jewelry Industry Mantra

Trace Shelton

Editor-in-Chief, INSTORE
trace@smartworkmedia.com

Five Smart Tips You’ll Find in This Issue

Brainstorm a checklist of questions to sell additional jewelry to brides, such as “Will the bridesmaids be wearing jewelry?” (Manager’s To-Do, p. 36)
Humanize your company by personally showing off your jewelry collection via YouTube or Facebook Live. (The Big Story, p. 44)
Reply to Instagram comments within one hour to boost your visibility, and always use at least three words. (The Big Story, p. 44)
Conduct a “Dare To Suck” meeting with your team, in which each person has to present an idea they think is probably terrible. (Tip Sheet, p. 54)
Install showcases with burglary-resistant, laminated glass and special frames that withstand hammer blows. (Ask INSTORE, p. 62)

Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless

When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time. "We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them. Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."