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.
Events & AwardsJan 18, 2015
How jewelers can keep it simple, tell a story
During her keynote address at the JA NY Winter show, MSNBC host JJ Ramberg spoke of the need for retailers to simplify their businesses and explain the “why” behind their stores.
“It’s going to take a lot of time, it’s going to take a lot of tests and it’s going to take a lot of talking to your customers,” JJ Ramberg said of developing the story behind a store.
New York--The JA New York Winter show opened Sunday with a trio of screaming children.
Don’t worry; they weren’t lost.
The children are the two sons and one daughter of JJ Ramberg, an entrepreneur and host of Your Business on MSNBC. She delivered the keynote address as the show opened on Sunday morning, starting her presentation with a home video of her three young children, all in an unhappy state.
In addition to engaging the audience, Ramberg’s video made a point: Whether it’s children, other family obligations or something else, entrepreneurs lives are busy. They need to make running their businesses as simple as possible, to “uncomplicate” them.
“We are not just running our businesses,” she said. “We are running our lives.”
She talked about a Your Business makeover episode that profiled the Monterey Bay Silver Co. in California.
The problems they found likely will sound familiar to many jewelers: the company had too many stores, too much cash tied up in inventory that wasn’t moving, and didn’t have any kind of point-of-sale system so they had no idea what was popular among customers and what wasn’t.
Your Business gave the store one of its makeovers, which are similar to what chef Gordon Ramsey does on his show Kitchen Nightmares, where he and his crew overhaul ailing restaurants.
They consolidated the business from four locations into one and had a design company overhaul the interior. They got the jewelry store a POS system and recommended that the store employee tucked away in a tiny room in the back re-stringing pearls, a service heavily marketed by the store, be brought up front so customers can watch her at work.
These changes simplified the business, helping the store and its owners. “What we do,” Ramberg said, “is not brain surgery.”
During her presentation, Ramberg also told of the need for retailers today to have a story behind their store--a “why” explaining their reason for being in business--and to make it an experience, not just a place to shop.
A store’s story could be anything: that they are a third-generation jeweler that’s been in the same spot for decades; that they are a store that is committed to ethical sourcing and fair trade products; or that they are a store that’s extremely fashion-forward and on top of all the trends.
Whatever that story is, it has to be
told the same across all platforms--in the store and its merchandise mix, on the website and across social media. And, Ramberg noted, it has to be understood and expressed by all employees.
Examples she provided of companies with a good why, a solid story, were Tattly, whose mission can be read here, and the aptly named Story, a Manhattan store where the owner changes out the theme every eight weeks.
“Consumers can buy things pretty much everywhere,” Ramberg told the audience. “But they want to shop at your store because it’s infused with this ‘why’.
“Your store has to really have this ‘why.’”
The JA New York Winter show continues through Tuesday at the Javits center.
Examples she provided of companies with a good why, a solid story, were Tattly, whose mission can be read here, and the aptly named Story, a Manhattan store where the owner changes out the theme every eight weeks.
“Consumers can buy things pretty much everywhere,” Ramberg told the audience. “But they want to shop at your store because it’s infused with this ‘why’.
“Your store has to really have this ‘why.’”
The JA New York Winter show continues through Tuesday at the Javits center.
More on Events & Awards
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.
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.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
