Behind The Counter
Peer-driven jewelry retail tips and best practices from the editors of JCKonline.com
IJO Versus RJO
Truthfully, I don’t know much about either organization except for what I’ve read on each of their sites. Independent Jeweler’s Organization website says, “The Independent Jewelers Organization has become the largest buying group in the world. From its modest beginnings with 52 members, the company has grown to over 850 members worldwide.Retail Jeweler’s Organiza ...... Read More
Comments (16)Is JBT Screwing You?
If you don’t know…JBT (Jeweler’s Board of Trade); taken directly from their website say they provide, “Confidential credit reports and credit ratings on over 70,000 jewelry-related companies contained in our database are all thoroughly investigated and analyzed. So you know, for example, how well your business partners pay their bills, whether there have been collection ...... Read More
Comments (10)AGTA Closes…Are GIA and Gubelin Gem Lab Our Two Choices?
Effective immediately, the GTC will not be accepting new gemstones for grading, and all gemstones currently in the lab will be returned to clients as soon as possible, National Jeweler. With the closing of AGTA; Gueblin Gem Lab in Switzerland is working towards opening a weekly shuttle service between New York and Lucerne, with the costs of the service being fully covered by the lab. I emailed the ...... Read More
Comments (1)Setting Your Store’s Prices—3.5 Times and 30% off Everyday?
At my FL store the tag prices were marked to be able to offer 50% off everyday. Of course it was a gimmick, but it worked for the store. At my store in Charlotte—the tags are marked at what I want to sell the pieces for—a well made piece of jewelry, at a reasonable retail price to the consumer, and a reasonable profit to stay in business; but of course customers are still asking for ...... Read More
Comments (4)Have You Asked Your Suppliers What They Want to Get Rid of?
Have you asked your vendors for merchandise they are wanting to get rid of out of their line rather than buying new merchandise at full price? A friend called me this morning with news of one of her bridal vendors offering her a discount on old merchandise. Interesting I thought…I’ve never asked a vendor about rings they were discontinuing or wanting to get rid of from their line. Sh ...... Read More
Comments (3)During Times like These…Would You Match the Price of an Online Retailer?
With many stores declaring Chapter 11, local stores discounting left to right (For example my local Carlyle&Co was taking 30% off of any TAG in the case), and the media saying that diamonds are a bargain during a bad economy…is discounting what it takes to stay a float during times like these? What about online marketplaces like AAFES and Overstock? AAFES stands for Army Air Forc ...... Read More
Comments (0)Men’s Night Only
I want to throw a men’s night sometime in November to help jump start the special orders. I’ve talked to my vendors and friends about ideas—and it’s sad in some aspects but I keep hearing men are only interested in the following: Booze Lovely Ladies Gambling Sports Does that about sum it up? So—in order to make the night fun and entice men to shop I need t ...... Read More
Comments (1)Is Brass and Glass the Way to Go if We Have to Kiss Terms Good-Bye?
Rob Bates brought up an interesting discussion with his blog titled Stuller Blogging: Can "Glass and Brass" and RFID Make Jewelry Shopping More Fun? Between drastic fluctuations of metal prices, diminished consumer spending, an unsure economic market, and the possibility of having to kiss terms good-bye…have any of you considered brass and glass? I know the idea of a brick and mortar ...... Read More
Comments (7)Christmas in July—Is that Sending a Message of Desperation?
During the dog days of summer I’m always looking for inventive ideas to bring in customers. We’ve all heard of “Christmas in July” but does that kind of marketing send a message of desperation to customers. This week I’ve received at least two or three emails (my gym, online ornament shop, to local sporting good stores) about “Christmas in July Sale ...... Read More
Comments (2)Do You Find Value in Taking Staff to a Trade Show?
Every year that I’m at JCK my close friends bring at least two or three different staff members to the show. Be prepared because I’m curious to know your thoughts on two parts of this: First and foremost I think it’s an awesome idea to take staff members to the show. They can attend classes that aren’t always available, they get a chance to mingle with others in ...... Read More
Comments (1)Are We Going to have to Kiss Terms Goodbye?
After I came back from JCK it took me a month to get back into the groove of things. I finally finished tagging most of the inventory from the show and did get a chance to enjoy July 4th will my in-laws and husband’s grandparents. After they left I finally got the chance to sit and think about this year’s show. This past show was one of the most difficult I had ever been too. ...... Read More
Comments (19)Sunday at JCK
I actually saw a lot of movement. Today, it felt like there was a jewelry convention going on. Downstairs, in the main area vendors had retailers around their entire booths; though, at the very back of the showroom—I couldn’t help to notice a ton of empty booths. I realized if there was a year to get a great spot upstairs—this was the year to do it. Many of my vendors were abl ...... Read More
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