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.
EditorsDec 06, 2013
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
have images that display properly on a smartphone or tablet computer. This is easy enough to check yourself. If it doesn’t, fix it or get someone to fix it for you.
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.
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.
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.
