CrimeMay 03, 2024
Second Suspect Arrested in Murder of Colorado JewelerWheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
EditorsApr 17, 2014
How CitySports is creating an experience
I ran a half-marathon Sunday and I did OK, considering the confluence of severe snowstorms and the flu that deterred my training.
After holding the device in my hand for most of my training, I reached two conclusions: a) I don’t want to carry this thing for 13.1 miles, and; b) I need to quit being cheap and just go ahead spend the $30 to get an armband like I had for my old, trusty iPod before I got caught outside in the rain and the screen went black on me.
Like so many consumers today, I started my search online. I Googled “armband for iphone 5,” scanned past the sponsored ad by Amazon.com, skipped over the organic results for the Apple store and Amazon.com (again; this is why it’s a billion-dollar business) and then was drawn into this article from Mashable on the “10 Best iPhone Armbands.”
After scanning through all 10 I settled on the Sporteer Armband because it has a pocket in the back for cards and I needed somewhere to stash my MetroCard and a little cash while I ran.
Normally, I would have just ordered the Sporteer on Amazon, my go-to, because they have everything, they let you return anything and it arrives quickly. But I was up against a tight timeline with the race approaching so I opted to--gasp--buy something in a store.
But where would I go? What store in New York would carry such a thing? Buying in a brick-and-mortar store can be a perplexing proposition when you don’t do it very often, and so I relied on my friend Google’s help again, and the search engine guided me to CitySports, which is right around the corner from my office (who knew?).
This particular CitySports store is located in a cavernous space on Broadway in Lower Manhattan. It’s a really beautiful older building but the store was, sadly, fairly empty.
I immediately located the aforementioned armbands and engaged a saleswoman, who was very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, in a discussion on what she thought was the best armband, mentioning the Mashable article and the online advice I had received in the process.
We chatted as I was checking out and I told her why I was buying the band, for my upcoming half. After wishing me luck, she let me know about a running club CitySports hosts.
Created, obviously, for runners, the group meets every Tuesday night and does relatively short runs around the Lower Manhattan waterfront. From time to time, she says, vendors come and ask you to try out products, and the store gives you $1 in CitySports credit for every mile you run with the group.
What a great way to get people engaged and shopping in your store in an era when they don’t really need to; anything that you see in a CitySports store easily can be purchased online. And, if most runners are like me, they have a favorite brand of shoe and know their size. When it comes time to reorder, they simply plug the brand and style name in online, choose a new color and click.
I didn’t get to try out the running group this week because it was raining, but I definitely plan to attend the next Tuesday night I am free.
Unfortunately, I don’t think my new Sporteer armband will be logging too many more miles with me. Though it was marked small/medium, it must be made for men because it’s too big for my arm.
I don’t know if CitySports will allow me to return the armband, considering it’s more than slightly used at this point. But you know what? I think that seems fair and it certainly won’t put me off the retailer. I am excited about joining the store’s running club, potentially meeting new people (meaning single men) and using my CitySports cash to purchase my next pair of shoes--right there in the store.
What a great way to get people engaged and shopping in your store in an era when they don’t really need to; anything that you see in a CitySports store easily can be purchased online. And, if most runners are like me, they have a favorite brand of shoe and know their size. When it comes time to reorder, they simply plug the brand and style name in online, choose a new color and click.
I didn’t get to try out the running group this week because it was raining, but I definitely plan to attend the next Tuesday night I am free.
Unfortunately, I don’t think my new Sporteer armband will be logging too many more miles with me. Though it was marked small/medium, it must be made for men because it’s too big for my arm.
I don’t know if CitySports will allow me to return the armband, considering it’s more than slightly used at this point. But you know what? I think that seems fair and it certainly won’t put me off the retailer. I am excited about joining the store’s running club, potentially meeting new people (meaning single men) and using my CitySports cash to purchase my next pair of shoes--right there in the store.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsMay 03, 2024
A Sneak Peek Into PGI’s Couture Platinum Spotlight ProgramPGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
MajorsMay 03, 2024
Kristie Nicolosi Joins WJA Board AgainNicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
CollectionsMay 03, 2024
Piece of the Week: A “Bit of LUV” for the DerbyKarina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
Weekly QuizMay 02, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
CrimeMay 02, 2024
4 Indicted in Burglary Ring Targeting Indian, South Asian FamiliesThe men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
CollectionsMay 02, 2024
Foundrae Launches ‘Horizon’ Collection“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
FinancialsMay 02, 2024
Pandora Raises Guidance After Strong Q1The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
IndependentsMay 02, 2024
Oklahoma Jeweler Glenn Lewis Dies at 68The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
AuctionsMay 02, 2024
Vintage Baume & Mercier With Ties to Elvis Sells for $7K Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
SurveysMay 01, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in AprilConcerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
TrendsMay 01, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: All Eyes on EmeraldsMay’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
SourcingMay 01, 2024
Opsydia Names New Sales and Marketing Director Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
CrimeMay 01, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
CollectionsApr 30, 2024
12 Otherworldly Pieces From Tiffany & Co.’s 2024 Blue BookThe “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Zales Celebrates 100 Years With New CampaignThe brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Platinum Guild International Appoints New CEOTim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2024
Canadian Jewellers Association Brings Back the Summit It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Recorded WebinarsApr 29, 2024
Watch: Diamond Identification and Evaluation - How to Protect your BusinessSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingApr 29, 2024
De Beers to Move Auction HQ from Singapore to BotswanaSales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
CollectionsApr 29, 2024
Simone I. Smith Mixes Denim and Diamonds in New Collection“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 YearsThe retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
SurveysApr 29, 2024
Mother’s Day Jewelry Spending to Reach $7B, Says NRFGifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
