The only things you need in your store: Lladro Swarovski The two best sellers. I heard from stores carrying these that people are "crazy collectors" about this stuff and will come in and purchase numerous items as a time. They both said its equal to "whatever your bread and butter line is."

collectible lines are great. we do fantastic withthem. I would highly recommend. It has a better return than loose dia's. Lladro is a line no one carries and allows full price sales. lalique is also a great line. All giftware is sold at high margins with little competition. Invest early and get the return before everyone else does.

I've heard the top is Swarovski (especially the annual star ornament come the holidays), but also heard good things about Lladro and Waterford crystal. Best bet is to take a long look at the closest upscale (or upper mid-market like some Macy's) department store's giftware/crystal and china department. For example, my local Macy's has Lladro, as does the local Bailey Banks & Biddle. Obviously they wouldn't carry the line if it didn't sell well, BUT could a small local jeweler compete with their selection and pricing? However, you have to be careful with giftware. It requires quite a bit of space to display nicely (glass cabinets/shelves) and has a low average ticket. To get the best bang for your buck, you'll also need to find and advertise to the collectors. Last but not least, make sure you know how carrying the line will impact your store brand. Will carrying Lladro make you seem traditional or old-fashioned? Will Swarovski make you seem trendy or fashionable? Does it make you seem more upscale or more downmarket? Signet had to pare back H. Samuel's collectibles department because they did so much volume there that customers viewed the store as a gift shop instead of a jewelry store.

I've heard the top is Swarovski (especially the annual star ornament come the holidays), but also heard good things about Lladro and Waterford crystal. Best bet is to take a long look at the closest upscale (or upper mid-market like some Macy's) department store's giftware/crystal and china department. For example, my local Macy's has Lladro, as does the local Bailey Banks & Biddle. Obviously they wouldn't carry the line if it didn't sell well, BUT could a small local jeweler compete with their selection and pricing? However, you have to be careful with giftware. It requires quite a bit of space to display nicely (glass cabinets/shelves) and has a low average ticket. To get the best bang for your buck, you'll also need to find and advertise to the collectors. Last but not least, make sure you know how carrying the line will impact your store brand. Will carrying Lladro make you seem traditional or old-fashioned? Will Swarovski make you seem trendy or fashionable? Does it make you seem more upscale or more downmarket? Signet had to pare back H. Samuel's collectibles department because they did so much volume there that customers viewed the store as a gift shop instead of a jewelry store.

I've heard the top is Swarovski (especially the annual star ornament come the holidays), but also heard good things about Lladro and Waterford crystal. Best bet is to take a long look at the closest upscale (or upper mid-market like some Macy's) department store's giftware/crystal and china department. For example, my local Macy's has Lladro, as does the local Bailey Banks & Biddle. Obviously they wouldn't carry the line if it didn't sell well, BUT could a small local jeweler compete with their selection and pricing? However, you have to be careful with giftware. It requires quite a bit of space to display nicely (glass cabinets/shelves) and has a low average ticket. To get the best bang for your buck, you'll also need to find and advertise to the collectors. Last but not least, make sure you know how carrying the line will impact your store brand. Will carrying Lladro make you seem traditional or old-fashioned? Will Swarovski make you seem trendy or fashionable? Does it make you seem more upscale or more downmarket? Signet had to pare back H. Samuel's collectibles department because they did so much volume there that customers viewed the store as a gift shop instead of a jewelry store.

You mention that the requests are for personalization. For me, this raises a different set of questions. Where are these items being purchased? Are they are being sold at a low profit/high volume outlet. Do you want to compete for a low profit sale? Are they are being sold for a reasonable profit, but the seller is missing the add-on sale of personalization. How are you going to be competitive is you add these products and don’t have personalization. Are these requests coming from consumers that would be profitable customers for you? And finally, why are they coming to you for the personalization after making a purchase elsewhere? Is it your marketing efforts? Is it because you don’t carry the right lines? Is it because your “brand” image excludes this kind of product? Sorry that my questions outnumber the answers.