WEEK 21
20 weeks passed | 32 weeks remain
May 25 — Monday
Today’s Quote: “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day.” — essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803, philosopher, essayist, poet — born on this day), Aly Raisman (1994, Olympic gymnast, six-time Olympic medalist), Beverly Sills (1929–2007, opera soprano and arts administrator — born on this day), Ian McKellen (1939, actor, Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings,” Magneto in “X-Men”)
FEATURED DATE: Memorial Day. Your store is likely closed, or running reduced hours. That’s appropriate. If you’re open, the energy is reflective and relaxed — lean into it. Skip the hard sell today. If a couple wanders in looking for something for an anniversary or a gift, be present and unhurried. The sales that happen on holidays tend to be the ones customers remember most warmly.
MARKETING: A Memorial Day social post that doesn’t mention a sale is worth more than one that does. A simple “We honor those who served” with a photo of something meaningful — a military charm, a locket, an engraved piece — lands better than a discount banner. Save the promotion for tomorrow.
LOOKING AHEAD: Father’s Day is now less than four weeks out — June 21. This week, finalize your Father’s Day inventory, write your email, and plan your case display. Men’s jewelry, watches, engraved ID bracelets, money clips, cufflinks, and gift cards are your workhorses. Have your pitch ready by Wednesday.
MORE DATES: Memorial Day (federal holiday), Whit Monday, Towel Day (Douglas Adams tribute — “Don’t Panic” is good retail advice too), Geek Pride Day
May 26 — Tuesday
Today’s Quote: “Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.” — actor John Wayne
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: John Wayne (1907–1979, “Duke,” iconic American actor, “True Grit,” “Stagecoach,” “The Quiet Man” — born on this day), Lenny Kravitz (1964, rock musician and style icon, “Again,” “Are You Gonna Go My Way”), Sally Ride (1951–2012, first American woman in space — born on this day), Stevie Nicks (1948, Fleetwood Mac vocalist, “Edge of Seventeen,” “Landslide”)
WEEKLY SPIFF: Launch this week’s game: whoever closes the most add-on sales — a second item added to an existing purchase — wins Friday. This is the week to practice “Have you thought about something for him too?” and “We have a great matching piece.” Add-on culture starts with the spiff.
MARKETING: Two jewelry icons share a birthday today. Lenny Kravitz is one of the most photographed men in jewelry — layered gold chains, bold rings, wide cuffs. Stevie Nicks has worn shawls, crystals, and statement pendants on every stage she’s ever stood on. If you carry men’s statement pieces or bohemian-leaning designs, today is a legitimate social post: “Two legends share a birthday. Here’s what they’d pull from our cases.”
SALES MEETING: Topic: Father’s Day. Run through every man-friendly piece in your store at three price points. What’s the story for $75? For $250? For $500 and up? Make sure your team can walk a shopper through the decision without hesitation. Practice saying it out loud — the hesitation usually happens when the price gets said for the first time.
MORE DATES: Sally Ride Day (honoring America’s first woman in space — a quiet nod to trailblazing women in your community), National Paper Airplane Day, World Lindy Hop Day
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May 27 — Wednesday
Today’s Quote: “The only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step outside the frame.” — novelist Salman Rushdie
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: Andre 3000 (1975, rapper, one-half of OutKast, “Hey Ya!,” widely regarded as one of the greatest MCs of all time), Wild Bill Hickok (1837–1876, American folk hero and lawman — born on this day), Louis Gossett Jr. (1936–2024, Oscar-winning actor, “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Roots” — born on this day), Rachel Carson (1907–1964, marine biologist and author, “Silent Spring” — born on this day)
FEATURED DATE: Eid al-Adha (estimated — subject to moon sighting). One of the two major Islamic holidays, marking the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Celebrated with prayer, family gatherings, and gift-giving. Gold jewelry is a traditional and beloved gift in many Muslim families — if this community is part of your customer base, a respectful social acknowledgment and a spotlight on gold gifting pieces is entirely appropriate. Eid Mubarak.
STRATEGY: Mid-week check-in. Where are you on Father’s Day prep? Email drafted? Display built? Team briefed? If not, today is the day to get moving — you have about three and a half weeks, and the first two will go fast.
DISPLAY: Pull your most “masculine” case and look at it with fresh eyes. Does it look like it was designed for men, or like an afterthought? Men’s jewelry shoppers often browse quickly and buy decisively — clear signage, distinct price points, and a few statement pieces displayed prominently do more than a crowded case.
MORE DATES: Eid al-Adha (estimated — verify moon sighting for 2026), National Sunscreen Day, Cellophane Tape Day
May 28 — Thursday
Today’s Quote: “You only live twice. Once when you’re born and once when you look death in the face.” — novelist Ian Fleming
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: Ian Fleming (1908–1964, novelist, creator of James Bond — born on this day), Kylie Minogue (1968, pop icon, “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” “Loco-Motion”), Carey Mulligan (1985, Oscar-nominated actress, “An Education,” “Promising Young Woman”), Gladys Knight (1944, singer, “Midnight Train to Georgia,” multiple Grammy winner)
FEATURED DATE: Ian Fleming’s Birthday. Bond is the ultimate luxury lifestyle character — Aston Martins, bespoke suits, and, crucially, watches. The Rolex Submariner became iconic largely because Fleming put it on Bond’s wrist. If you carry watches or luxury men’s accessories, today is a legitimate reason to post something with “shaken, not stirred” energy. Even a photo of your most Bond-worthy piece with a Fleming quote is shareable content.
INVENTORY: This is a good week to run a report on what hasn’t moved in 90 days. Identify three pieces in each case that have been sitting. Either give them a better display position, attach them to a spiff, or mark them for clearance. Stale inventory costs you in opportunity cost and visual noise.
OPERATIONS: Check in with your repair bench this week. Any jobs that have been sitting? Any customer who hasn’t been called? A backlog of unclaimed repairs is money waiting to be picked up — and often a customer who, once they come in, buys something new.
MORE DATES: Amnesty International Day, National Hamburger Day, World Hunger Day
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May 29 — Friday
Today’s Quote: “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” — President John F. Kennedy
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: John F. Kennedy (1917–1963, 35th U.S. President — born on this day, 109th anniversary), Melissa Etheridge (1961, rock musician, “Come to My Window,” “I’m the Only One” — happy 65th!), Annette Bening (1958, Oscar-nominated actress, “American Beauty,” “The Kids Are All Right”), Rupert Everett (1959, British actor, “My Best Friend’s Wedding”)
WEEKLY SPIFF PAYOUT: Count this week’s add-on closes. Announce the winner. Read out a specific moment where an associate successfully added a second item — the story of how it was done is more instructive than the prize itself.
MARKETING: June starts Monday. If your Father’s Day email isn’t written yet, write it today. It doesn’t need to be long: a subject line that sells, three gift ideas at three price points, your hours, and a warm close. Send it in the first week of June to catch the early planners. You can send a second one closer to the 21st for the procrastinators.
TRAINING: End the week with a quick “win of the week” huddle. Ask each associate to share one good moment from the past five days — a great close, a customer who came back, a compliment received. Ending the week on wins builds momentum into the weekend.
MORE DATES: JFK’s Birthday (109th anniversary), National Paperclip Day, Put a Pillow on Your Fridge Day (yes, this is a real holiday — lean into the absurdity)
May 30 — Saturday
Today’s Quote: “Success is dangerous. One begins to copy oneself, and to copy oneself is more dangerous than to copy others.” — artist Pablo Picasso
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: Cee Lo Green (1974, Grammy-winning singer, “Forget You,” “Crazy” with Gnarls Barkley), Mel B (1975, Scary Spice, Spice Girls, “Wannabe,” “Say You’ll Be There”), Wynonna Judd (1964, country music star, “No One Else on Earth,” Grammy winner), Idina Menzel (1971, Broadway and film actress, voice of Elsa in “Frozen,” “Let It Go”)
FEATURED DATE: National Creativity Day. A good Saturday prompt for your team: pull one piece from the case and write a three-sentence story about who would wear it and why. Not a product description — a story. The best salespeople don’t describe jewelry; they cast the customer in it. Today’s exercise builds that muscle.
OPERATIONS: Traditional Memorial Day (the original date, 1868 — before it was moved to the last Monday in May). If your community has a parade or ceremony today, consider being visible. Sponsor a water station, set up a small table, or simply walk in it. Local visibility costs almost nothing and pays in trust.
MARKETING: Weekend social post: show something from your Father’s Day display. Even one piece with a clean photo and a price tag. Simple, direct, effective. “Looking for something for Dad? We’ve got you.” Three weeks out is when the early shoppers start paying attention.
MORE DATES: National Creativity Day, Traditional Memorial Day (original 1868 date), National Mint Julep Day, Water a Flower Day
May 31 — Sunday
Today’s Quote: “If you’re in doubt about something that’s not in your life, try it. Err on the side of yes. If it was a mistake, at least you’ll know first-hand, instead of always wondering. If you’re in doubt about something that’s in your life already, get rid of it. Err on the side of no. Start with a clean slate. If it was a mistake, you’ll get it back with a renewed enthusiasm.” — musician and entrepreneur Derek Sivers
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS: Clint Eastwood (1930, actor and director, “Dirty Harry,” “Unforgiven,” “Million Dollar Baby” — turning 96), Colin Farrell (1976, Irish actor, “In Bruges,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “The Penguin” — happy 50th!), Brooke Shields (1965, actress and model, “Blue Lagoon,” “Suddenly Susan”), Walt Whitman (1819–1892, poet, “Leaves of Grass,” “Song of Myself” — born on this day)
FEATURED DATE: Trinity Sunday. The first Sunday after Pentecost — observed across many Christian denominations. Religious jewelry, cross pendants, and confirmation pieces are worth a quiet spotlight for customers marking the day.
OPERATIONS: Last day of May. Pull your month-end numbers before the day gets busy. How did May land vs. your plan? Mother’s Day carried the week — but what happened in the two weeks after? Knowing the shape of your May tells you how to structure your June promotions.
LOOKING AHEAD: June opens tomorrow with pearls as the birthstone, Father’s Day on the 21st, and the summer bridal season fully underway. Make sure your pearl case is stocked and your bridal display is current. June is not a month to coast into.
MORE DATES: Trinity Sunday, World No-Tobacco Day, National Smile Day, What You Think Upon Grows Day
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein. June starts tomorrow. Keep moving.
