The announcement coincided with its full-year results, with growth driven by its jewelry brands.
50 Jewelers/50 States: Hawaii
In Honolulu, one jeweler aims to make itself the all-things-bridal destination.
Honolulu--In 50 Jewelers/50 States, National Jeweler interviews one retailer in each of the 50 U.S. states to find out how they are meeting the challenges of the changing retail environment.
The Wedding Ring Shop, located in Honolulu, Hawaii, leaves no question as to its fine jewelry specialty.
Founded by husband-and-wife team Michael and Rebecca Han in 1987, The Wedding Ring Shop capitalizes on the sentimentality of jewelry that marks life events, such as engagements, weddings and anniversaries.
National Jeweler spoke with the Hans about how their customers are like ‘ohana, the Hawaiian word for family.
National Jeweler: What’s the biggest challenge your store is facing?
Mike Han: The biggest challenge our store faces is finding qualified, talented salespeople, but we plan to overcome it by continuously recruiting.
NJ: What’s the top-selling category and brand at your store?
Rebecca Han: The top-selling category in our store is bridal, with Hearts On Fire and Tacori being the top brands.
NJ: Describe your regional customer.
MH: We serve the “engage-ables,” men and women ages 25 to 34, who are often repeat customers returning to us for their wedding bands.
We strive to turn them into lifetime customers so that The Wedding Ring Shop is their go-to place for unique and personal gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations and other special moments in life.
RH: We also serve couples celebrating milestone anniversaries with upgraded diamonds, settings or wedding bands, as well as those celebrating their second or third marriage.
NJ: What’s the most popular style of engagement ring with your clientele?
RH: We often personalize existing designs from our designers, as custom-designed rings are the most popular among our customers.
NJ: What’s your social media presence like? What accounts do you have or actively use?
RH: The Wedding Ring Shop is active on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Because Instagram and Pinterest are powerful visual platforms, we post eye-catching product photos that provide our followers with inspiration and ideas for their dream ring.
Facebook, on the other hand, promotes our monthly in-store events and shows the human side of The Wedding Ring Shop with photos of our staff accomplishments and celebrations.
MH: We
NJ: Does your website have e-commerce?
RH: With the growing share of e-commerce in the jewelry market, we’re in the midst of redesigning our catalog-style website to accommodate e-commerce features so that we can meet more of our target audience where they are.
NJ: What’s the best piece of advice you’d offer to other independent jewelry stores?
MH: Three things.
One: know your KPIs, or key performance indicators.
Two: stay close to your customers.
Three: build a healthy company culture.
NJ: What’s a fun fact about you we can share with our readers?
MH: One spring, we held a contest with several brides-to-be tossing fresh whole carrots into a giant engagement ring box on the lawn fronting our store, in front of heavy drive-by traffic, a play on the words carrot and carat.
RH: The winner received a $1,000 gift certificate.
The Latest
Looking ahead, the retailer said it sees “enormous potential” in Roberto Coin’s ability to boost its branded jewelry business.
Jewelry trade show veterans share strategies for engaging buyers, managing your time effectively, and packing the right shoes.
Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
This little guy’s name is Ricky and he just sold for more than $200,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction.
Though its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
Despite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
Tradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
Lilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
Why do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
The “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
The annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
Owner David Mann is heading into retirement.
While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
Christie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
The ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
Retailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
The late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
Three fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
Kimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
As a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.