The report shows that couples are searching for vintage and antique rings, gold jewelry, pearls, and colorful pieces.
My love affair with iPad
I was just looking at my credit card accounts online--a dangerous venture at this time of the year--trying to add up just how much I’ve spent shopping on my iPad over the past five months. The answer is quite a bit.
Richelle and Cecilia’s running joke about my relationship with my iPad is both an observation on the rather sad state of my love life and a commentary on the modern-day shopper.
Today, millions of people shop from their mobile devices. This “Cyber Monday,” mobile purchases were up 55 percent year-over-year and totaled nearly 20 percent of all online traffic that day, according to data from IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark.
While smartphones drove more traffic than tablets--about 20 percent of all online traffic vs. 12 percent--tablets accounted for 12 percent of all online sales, double that of smartphones at 6 percent.
For me, the No. 1 advantage of the iPad is its size. It’s not as bulky as a laptop, but bigger than a smartphone. You can curl up in bed with it on a rainy Saturday morning, Earl Grey tea in hand (if you’re so inclined) and order away.
The images on the iPad are stunning, provided the retailer takes the time to ensure their site a) has good images and b) will work on a mobile device. While there was a time when retailers were busy building mobile versions of their full-sized websites, the trend now is to have a responsive site, meaning a site that automatically adjusts to whatever device it is being viewed on, whether it’s a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. The new National Jeweler was built this way.
For anybody interested in doing some mobile-shopping reconnaissance, I think Nine West and Anthropologie both provide an excellent mobile experience.
Now, I know there is an ongoing debate in the jewelry industry about selling online: should retailers, or shouldn’t they? In the end, don’t people want to come in to see/touch/feel jewelry?
Personally, I don’t have a strong opinion either way on this debate. There are too many stores and they are too different to tell Jeweler A in Alabama that they should run their business the same as Jeweler B in New York or Jeweler C in South Dakota.
However, you do have to have a presentable online presence. Your website should
Even if you don’t sell online, being present in the mobile space will attract cross-shoppers: People who looked online, liked what they saw and are coming in to buy it. I do enjoy ordering bedside while I sip my tea, but that doesn’t mean I’ve completely abandoned in-store shopping. I go into stores to physically check out merchandise I like, see what else they have and how they have things paired.
Now, if you’ll excuse me I need to finish the rest of my work so I can clock out for the day and head home. My iPad misses me.
The Latest
He’s remembered as a “font of passion,” leaving behind a legacy of dedication to his craft and community.
The first one will take place next month during the Jewelers of Louisiana’s and Mississippi Jewelers Association’s conventions.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
The redesigned boutique features interactive displays and a workshop space for hands-on learning about watchmaking.
There is a willingness to comply with new government-mandated regulations, with an insistence that they should be practical and realistic.
A combination of factors is driving growth in the industry despite the precipitous drop in prices across the board.
Ho Brothers offers scalable solutions for the future of custom jewelry.
The zone’s modernization will enhance and increase India’s jewelry manufacturing capabilities while aiding small and mid-sized businesses.
By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.
The company plans to invest $25 million in marketing initiatives to boost awareness around its namesake and licensed brands.
Optimism about the current state of the economy was offset by anxiety around inflation and the political environment.
The former WJA executive director is MFM’s new managing director.
DDG encourages retailers to educate customers on the positive impact of purchasing natural diamonds.
Highlighting the most iconic Tiffany collections, it’s inspired by the company’s late window designer, Gene Moore.
Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen explore how jewelers can save time and money by using AI to analyze engagement and create content.
The retailer previously turned down an $8.4 billion offer in 2018.
The Florida store’s owner Miguel Gonzalez is retiring.
The lab stresses the importance of accurate identification, as the difference in price is “substantial.”
The brand also plans to expand its retail footprint from 138 to 200 stores over the next three years.
One is reserved for a NAJA member, the other for a non-member.
Longtime employees Carie Lehrke and Megan Mattice have received promotions.
Three guests joined National Jeweler and Jewelers of America to discuss trending time periods, spotting reproductions, and more.
Chris Clipper and Robert Lepere join the company with 50 years of combined experience.
The trendy, metallic earrings wink at classic spring colors.
JSA said a man and woman pulled the safe out of an Oakland jewelry store but couldn’t quite get it into their van.
The miner’s March auction generated $19 million.