The first half of 2026 was a wild ride, with the Iran war hitting consumers hard and slowing down a historic surge in gold prices, and jewelry retailers and analysts interviewed by JCK agree that the second half demands a calm approach, aggressive marketing plans, and calculated merchandising strategies.
Based on the experts’ outlook for the rest of the year, skittish consumers who see gold as a stable asset are likely to come into your store and shop if you offer frequent and tempting events and sell both special collections and great jewelry basics.
“Retailers should approach the second half of the year with caution,” says Jennifer Motes, a business coach with Edge Retail Academy in Omaha, Neb., and a merchandise manager at jewelry stores for nearly 30 years.
“Independent retailers have been through uncertain times in the past. They need to remain steady but don’t bury their heads in the sand,” says Motes, who predicts a 5% increase in sales revenue for the industry compared with last year, based on the higher price of goods. “Remain diligent in running a strong business with good decisions and data—not impulses.”
JCK spoke with executives of CD Peacock, Reeds Jewelers, and Paris Jewellers, as well as designers Dana Rebecca Gordon and Geoffrey Good, about how 2026 has treated them so far and what the second half may bring. Here are the highlights of those conversations.
CD Peacock
Vice chairman Steven Holtzman describes 2026 as “the year of experience.” The CD Peacock flagship in Oak Brook, Ill.—known as the Mansion—curates not only its selection of watch and jewelry brands but other amenities offered to clients, including fresh-squeezed juices and a cappuccino bar. Every detail is designed to bring people in, encourage them to stay, and feel special.
“We’re moving further away from being a traditional retailer and continuing to build the Mansion into a destination where people come to spend time, learn, celebrate, and connect,” says Holtzman, who says guests spend an average of 45 minutes in the Mansion when they visit.
“We’re investing more in experiences than promotions,” he says. “At the Mansion, you’ll see more brand activations, collector events, private dinners, designer appearances, educational evenings, and opportunities for clients to meet the CEOs, designers, and master craftspeople behind the brands they admire. The goal is for every visit to be memorable. The holidays should be about celebrating life’s milestones, not simply shopping.”
Reeds Jewelers
Wilmington, N.C.–based Reeds Jewelers has had a year of hard work and good times, according to vice president of strategy and operations Genna Zimmer. The family-owned business turned 80 in 2026, and it celebrated with the grand opening of Landmark showrooms in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Cary, N.C.
Reeds’ Landmark locations are based on a destination concept, emphasizing client experience as well as luxury jewelry and watch brands, Zimmer says. The goal is to establish lifetime customer relationships, for engagement rings to anniversary gifts to milestone watches.
“We’re hosting more events because we’re not waiting for customers to come in—you have to give them a reason to come into the stores,” Zimmer says. “We also have new merchandise launching in advance of our events and doing a lot more custom design work to encourage people to visit early and get ahead of their shopping.”
Paris Jewellers
Co-owner Chau Lui says the Edmonton, Alberta, chain understands that the only constant in business is change. That means a fresh store concept, additions to its Personalized jewelry line, and new collaborations for the second half of 2026.
“The first half reminded us that there will always be things we can’t control. We are very grateful that we’ve continued to see year-over-year growth by staying focused on the things we can,” Lui says.
“At our company, we have what we call our rocks—the key priorities that move our business forward. We don’t switch our focus until we move these rocks. Having our entire team aligned around those goals has been a significant part of our continued growth.”
After a 2025 renovation of Paris Jewellers’ store at the Woodgrove Centre on British Columbia’s Vancouver island, the Paris team took a break to dream up a new retail concept—which it will debut at Oshawa Centre in Ontario in November.
“This design was very intentional in telling our story: who we are, what we do, and why we do it. We believe it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Paris,” Liu says.
“We have a clear plan for the second half of the year, and we’re exciting to execute it. We’ve tried to be very intentional with our product launches, marketing, and customer experience, making sure everything works together.”
Dana Rebecca Designs
The Chicago-based independent retailer is focused on stabilizing prices, adding products, and hosting activations to bring clients in during the holidays, says founder, CEO, and designer Dana Gordon.
Dana Rebecca debuted its full-service diamond division in 2026, and Gordon says increasing diamond inventory has allowed her to better serve her brand’s retail partners and its growing bridal and custom clients.
The designer has introduced birthstone huggies and evil-eye rings at approachable price points for first-time buyers, all while staying true to its core business of 14k gold jewelry and natural diamonds.
For the holidays, Gordon says, Dana Rebecca will hold events in its showroom spotlighting gift ideas as well as self-purchases. The brand marks its 20th anniversary in 2027, so the second half of the year will also be focused on planning for that milestone occasion, she says.
“Our focus has remained on taking great care of our customers, and demand for meaningful, everyday fine jewelry has stayed strong,” Gordon says. “We’re continuing to build on what our customers already love.”
Geoffrey Good
The Hudson, N.Y., private jeweler says he is leaning into his custom practice and his loyal clientele during 2026. Good has worked with prestigious brands such as Cartier, but says making only what he loves and working smarter, not harder, can keep him busy and profitable.
Whether people visit Good’s atelier by appointment or “by chance,” as he says (if they happen to come by when he’s on premises and welcoming guests), they’re encouraged to sit, dream, and enjoy the design process. He wants his private clients to feel good when they are collaborating with him.
“There is a lot of fear in the world right now, and it is coming from so many sources. There’s a fear of war, of politics. Metal prices are high. There’s the nauseating debate between lab versus natural,” Good says. “I’m focused on people. Because at the end of the day, no matter what you’re doing or selling, people aren’t buying that object. They’re with you because of how you feel. You need to connect with people as well as make them feel seen and listened to.
“When you focus on lack, it brings more lack. It’s just how the universe works.”
Top: CD Peacock’s bar is one of its most popular attractions. (Photo courtesy of CD Peacock)
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