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.
TrendsJul 17, 2018
Marla Aaron’s Vending Machine Finds a New Home
The machine, which dispenses her fine jewelry, debuted earlier this year at the Brooklyn Museum.
Jewels on wheels. A view of the Marla Aaron fine jewelry vending machine at its new home at The William Vale hotel.
New York—Marla Aaron’s fine jewelry vending machine is on the move.
Late last year, the designer launched her ultra-creative retail endeavor, selling a small selection of her sterling silver and gold signature lock jewelry in a customized vending machine at the Brooklyn Museum.
Now, the machine has moved, not terribly far away but to an area with a distinctly different feel.
In late June, it appeared at the location that will be its new home through September, the park outside The William Vale hotel, an independent boutique hotel in Brooklyn’s trendy Williamsburg neighborhood.
“I wanted the next location of our vending machine to be outside,” Aaron explained, noting that the Japanese vending machines that originally inspired her concept are often found out-of-doors.
Aaron feels that such a novel retail concept resonates well with the denizens of Brooklyn.
“If it's interesting and new, whether it be food, fashion or music, it's happening in Brooklyn and The William Vale is at the heart of it,” she said.
Since it opened in 2016, The William Vale has become a major New York City tourist destination, not least for its spectacular rooftop views of the Manhattan skyline.
Perhaps those tourist dollars are the explanation for the machine’s sales so far.
“Interestingly, at the Brooklyn Museum the price point of what we sold was much lower. We mostly sold the silver pieces. Since launching at The William Vale the single most popular piece is the gold ‘Babylock’ on a chain that retails for $644.00. We have sold several,” Aaron said.
The machine sells 12 pieces, focusing on the brand’s most straightforward designs, like the Babylock in five different metals.
The items start at $165 for a sterling silver Babylock on a sterling silver chain. The most expensive piece is the 14-karat yellow gold twisted lock pendant on an oxidized sterling silver chain that sells for $1,588.
Aaron said that like her design process, which started with the concept of a fine jewelry lock and has organically grown to include different jewelry making techniques and styles, her retail strategy takes a learn-as-you-go approach.
“I don’t feel like we are innovating consciously,” she said, “it’s more that we are following an iterative process, tweaking and improving as we go along, zealously and constantly. That's how I view the collection, and I view our retail strategy the same way.”
Aaron is planning to launch more vending machines in the future, but
is as focused on her wholesale business as ever.
“We will continue to grow our retail and wholesale business on a parallel path as they are both critical for the long-term success of our company,” Aaron said.
In the meantime, the vending machine will be at The William Vale’s outdoor Vale Park through September.
“We will continue to grow our retail and wholesale business on a parallel path as they are both critical for the long-term success of our company,” Aaron said.
In the meantime, the vending machine will be at The William Vale’s outdoor Vale Park through September.
More on Trends
The Latest
CollectionsMay 02, 2024
Foundrae Launches ‘Horizon’ Collection“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMay 02, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
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.”
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.
SurveysMay 01, 2024
Consumer Confidence Falls in AprilConcerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
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.
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.
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
