Retail Review: Building Experiences and Real Client Connections

By Karen Dybis | December 24, 2025

Consumers, especially those shopping for luxury goods, are coming into 2026 with high expectations: They want real experiences, beautiful environments while also considering sustainability, and a connection to the brand.

Jewelry retailers are doing this very well based on some of the newer interior-design choices they made in 2025. They’re upping their in-store events, designing with the environment in mind, and building real relationships through the brick-and-mortar spaces they create.

These changes are important not only to keep a store looking its best—some experts say you should renovate your interior every five to seven years—but also to appeal to the next generations of shoppers (i.e., Gen Z and Gen Alpha).

J.P. Morgan found in its 2025 holiday-shopping trend outlook that Gen Z values experiential shopping, and they are willing to drive farther for it. It recommends retailers increase the number of in-store specials they do, and make sure their omnichannel offerings are tight—consumers want to know what they saw as in stock online will be there on the sales floor.

Whether a store did a renovation or built something entirely new, here are some examples of what JCK reporters found covering the Retail Details beat in 2025, as well as some of the trends that are likely to continue into the new year.

Hamilton exterior holiday — *Princeton, N.J.–based Hamilton Jewelers always amps up the holiday beauty with its exterior decorations.*

Holiday Fun

Princeton, N.J.–based Hamilton Jewelers creates Instagram-worthy exterior and interior displays, giving shoppers something to photograph and share online. The family-owned jeweler also hosted several watch events in its stores for the fourth quarter and even had a big to-do on a 155-foot yacht with Breitling.

Epic Events

New York City–based Cadar opened its first store with a bang this fall as founder Michal Kadar hosted a cocktail party featuring Big Apple touches such as vintage taxi cabs parked outside and “I Heart Cadar NY” tote bags. She plans to hold events in the boutique—she’s looking at classes, coffee dates, and lectures, among other possibilities—so people will feel like they can come in just to visit and the community will get to know the space. “There’s so much to retail that’s about discovery. I want people to always have another thing to see or discover in the store so they want to come in again and again,” Kadar says.

KINRADEN Flagship — *Sarah Emilie Müllertz in her renovation made sure her Kinraden flagship reflected her jewelry: beautiful and sustainable.*

Repurposed and Purposeful

Previously an architect, Sarah Emilie Müllertz says her flagship store’s revamp highlights everything the Copenhagen-based brand stands for: sculptural forms, sustainable materials, and a quiet approach to design. Every one of her jewelry pieces is crafted from 100% recycled precious metals. She also uses Mpingo blackwood, a rare FSC-certified material traditionally used in woodwind instruments—only now it is reimagined as a bold and living alternative to traditional gemstones within Kinraden jewelry. The boutique is filled with locally sourced, repurposed wood and furniture.

Mall-Based Retail Steps Up

Helzberg’s new format includes a Custom Bar, an informal setting where shoppers can design their own ring, and an open “jewelers’ room,” which has large windows that let customers see pieces being crafted. The open room injects some “theater and technology into the experience,” says Mitch Maggart, Helzberg’s executive vice president and chief retail officer. “We’re aiming to immerse consumers in the world of jewelry in a way they haven’t experienced before.”

Robbins Brothers pasadena — *Look at those ceilings! Those windows! The historic interior of the new Robbins Brothers flagship shows why the brand fell in love with the space.*

Historic Charm on Steroids

Robbins Brothers reinvested in one of Pasadena, Calif.’s grand dames with its new flagship store. The space has ornate 28-foot ceilings, impressive chandeliers, and its original 1928 murals, all showing the history of the building and of the city. The space includes designer boutiques, in-house repairs and customization by a master jeweler, a hospitality lounge, and state-of-the-art diamond-viewing rooms. There’s also a basement vault that Robbins will use for meetings, brand activations, and community events.

Brand Connection

Talk about a store telling your story: In the middle of Luis Morais’ Miami flagship boutique, there’s a daybed on top of a thick brick-colored rug where clients can lounge, have a glass of Champagne, and appreciate the artwork and jewelry cases. Along with his jewelry, Morais features candles and fragrances in the product mix. He says his boutique is an immersive space where new and existing clients can “see a bit of my world.” A self-described “frustrated decorator,” Morais created the store’s interior look himself, and he included many pieces from his personal art collection for show and sale.

All in a Name

When Kat and Larry Stokes wanted to establish a new legacy for Korman Fine Jewelry, they went all in. The first move was to drop “Fine Jewelry” from the business’ name; it is now called simply Korman, The name change reflects the retailer’s evolution and feels more modern, says Kat Stokes. The second change is occurring inside Korman’s store, which has been reimagined as a luxury destination with its own style, mood, and even music playlist. The overall goal is to establish Korman as a nontraditional-traditional jeweler that takes community, celebration, and connection as seriously as the fine jewelry and timepieces it sells, Kat says.

Top: Cadar’s new New York City flagship reflects its designer’s love of nature and fashion in the circular space. (All photos courtesy of the designers and retailers)