RJO Serves Up Texas Style in San Antonio

Rob Bates -- JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 3/1/2005

The Retail Jewelers Organization held what vendors called a respectable but unspectacular show recently in San Antonio.

Overall show attendance was 192 stores, about the same as in previous years. Allen Lipscher of Global Diamonds in Chicago said buyers were "cautiously optimistic after a generally good Christmas selling season." He found many using computer inventory systems to guide their purchasing decisions. "They are buying not with their hearts, but with their data," he said.

RJO CEO Mary Peterson noted the group experimented with several new ideas for this year's show, which was held at a hotel on the city's famed "Riverwalk." Among them were expanded social events, including a farewell breakfast where a Caribbean Cruise and Dell Computer were raffled off. A mariachi band and a motivational speech by Peterson welcomed attendees on the first day. RJO also installed furniture and a masseuse on the show floor.

"You are on the show floor for so long, we wanted to make it more comfortable for people," Peterson said.

Shopping Stats

50% The number of U.S. consumers who purchased jewelry in the past year.
$3,084 The average amount of money men spend on jewelry in a year.
$1,440 The average amount of money women spend on jewelry in a year.
$2,000 The amount spent by the typical jewelry purchaser on jewelry in the past year.
$53.6B The amount of money American consumers spent on jewelry and watches in 2003.

Source: Unity Marketing Jewelry Report, 2004: The Who, What, Where, How Much and Why of Jewelry Shopping. The report is available online in the JCK Jewelry Research & Stock Art Store at store.yahoo.com/jckresearch/index.html.

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Blogs
Photos
Podcasts

Blogs

Sorry, no blogs are active for this topic.

» VIEW ALL BLOGS

Photos

Kenjo Holiday Party
Watch retailer Kenjo's annual holiday party at its Manhattan store was filmed by Wi-Fi TV's new luxury watch program. Representatives from leading Swiss watch companies, showed their latest lines to party guests and gave interviews on trends for 2008.
Window Shopping: Holiday 2007 Edition Photo Gallery
'Tis the season of visual opulence; for proof, one need look no further than the nearest commercial shop window. Join us on a walk down Fifth Avenue from 57th to 39th street.
Gold Expressions 2008
Jewelry from "Gold Expressions" - The Language of Italian Design 2008 Collection. Presented by the World Gold Council, this event was held on Monday, December 3, 2007, in the Penthouse of the American Airlines Theatre in New York City.