Aida Alvarez

A small 1.3% rise in sales at US jewelers in April. The increase in revenue was fully spurred by a 2.5% increase in the average consumer expenditure per unit purchased. A few of the figures: Natural diamond jewelry sales rose 1%, Prices of LGD-set DERs declined, Loose LGD was 57% of loose diamond sales, but just 25% of revenue. Here is an issue: LG prices are down, but gross margins and unit sales are up. What does it impact gross profits? We took a look at that and have some findings. https://lnkd.in/dDw4s8MQ

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Strategies and tactics about how to gather richest shoppers. A lot of conventional and close-to-conventional activities from top retailers like Neiman Marcus Group and Saks Fifth Avenue. Is it a true luxury experience? Or -at the end- is something like a mass-market (in smaller numbers)? #luxury #jewelry #jewellery https://lnkd.in/eNcCVgpG

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Sabina jewelry tray Enhance the classy beauty of your jewelry collection...

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The synthetic diamond market continues its decline in consumer demand (especially in bridal, see Signet Jewelers recent shareholder statement) and potential cash flow issues for wholesale buyers who get caught on the slopes. As the production of synthetic diamonds increases, the old Wall Street axiom of ‘don’t try to catch a falling knife’ rings true. Where do you think the market will bottom out? Also, calling all Cocoa millionaires, where you at?! 📸: Edahn Golan #syntheticdiamonds #marketdecline #cashflowissues #cocoamillionaires

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The key factor pushing synthetic diamond prices lower will not be short term over-inventory. It will be the continued severe decline in the cost of producing synthetics and the fact that B2C competition will pull B2C prices down to B2B levels. Watch WalMart and you will see the price of synthtics drop to tens of dollars per carat. Jewelers selling synthetics at outrageous markups are destroying their customer base. The higher they go the harder they will fall. The sooner synthetic sellers go out of business the better.

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💎 Tip of the Day: Shift Your Focus to Natural Diamonds In 2024, retailers should prioritize training their associates in the art of selling natural diamonds. Understanding the unique selling propositions of natural diamonds and highlighting their rarity is crucial. Showcase natural diamonds first, emphasizing their value, even if customers inquire about lab-grown options. Reserve lab-grown diamonds as a last resort, discreetly kept in the back, and presented only after thoroughly explaining the value of natural diamonds. 💍 #DiamondSales #RetailTips #NaturalDiamonds #MeganTellsAll

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🔥 Hot Off the Press! 🔥 Dive into my latest column in TJC's Summer Issue! "9 Strategies to Elevate Your Customers' In-Store Experience." Running a successful jewelry retail business requires continuous innovation and strategic approaches to attract and retain customers. Here are effective ways to expand your business by enhancing your overall customer experience: 1. EMBRACE VIRTUAL SELLING: Explore virtual selling options by offering virtual appointments and creating sales videos. Even post-COVID, virtual selling remains a successful method to connect with customers. 2. PROVIDE FREE WATCH BATTERIES WITH A TWIST: Offer free watch battery replacements while customers wait. This low-cost service allows customers to explore other items in your store while their watch is being serviced. This simple gesture can lead to additional sales. 3. COLLABORATE WITH INFLUENCERS: Partner with social media influencers or local celebrities who align with your brand. Hosting influencer events generates free content for your store and expands your reach to their followers. Influencers can help promote your products authentically and engagingly. 4. HOST EVENTS STRATEGICALLY: Hosting events can contribute up to 10% of your annual sales. Collaborate with local businesses, offer targeted marketing based on past purchases, and invite vendors to showcase their full lines or pieces created exclusively for your store. 5. DEVELOP A LOYALTY PROGRAM: Implement a loyalty program to reward customers for their ongoing support. Exclusive discounts, early access to collections, and special perks create incentives for repeat purchases and build long-term customer relationships. 6. EXPAND INTO CUSTOM JEWELRY DESIGN: Differentiate your store by expanding into custom jewelry design. Find a supplier that offers unique customization options and set yourself apart in the market. 7. PARTNER WITH WEDDING AND EVENT PLANNERS: Establish partnerships with wedding and event planners to become their preferred jewelry provider. Offer promotional discounts for their clients, provide custom jewelry for special occasions, and collaborate with florists to display fresh flowers in your store. 8. COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS: Partner with local photographers to offer free or discounted engagement sessions. This collaboration not only attracts potential customers but also positions your store as the go-to destination for wedding-related jewelry. 9. ENHANCE THE IN-STORE EXPERIENCE: Focus on personalized service, knowledgeable staff, and aesthetically pleasing displays. A positive in-store experience encourages customer loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals. Stay innovative and adapt to your target audience’s evolving needs and preferences. Creating memorable experiences will contribute to building a strong and loyal customer base. Ready to take your jewelry retail business to the next level? Let's elevate your customer experience together! 🌟

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📢 Read all about it! 📰 In my latest INSTORE Magazine article, "4 Ways to Make More Money on Your Diamond Sales," 💎 I’m sharing four essential strategies to boost your diamond sales and maximize your profits. 💰 Be sure to take a look 👀 #JewelrySales #Diamonds #MeganTellsAll https://ow.ly/tO7Y50R4eHx

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With certain styles, you can actually see people light up when they try them on. It's gorgeous- but also comfortable and easy. This Mark Henry piece is one of those styles and will quickly become a go-to! It's perfect ✨ #jewelry #finejewelry #luxuryjewelry #luxuryretail #gemstones #preciousgemstones #jewelrydesign

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The 2 Major Rules of Jewelry purchasing: 1. The quality of a diamond or gemstone is not equal to the quality of the overall piece of jewelry it's in. 2. Not all four C's are created equal. Lets discuss. You can have a Type 2A diamond and it can be exquisite. D flawless stones deserve to be set in the best, but that does not mean that they are. In fact I would venture to say that over 50% of the top diamonds or gemstones are set in jewelry that is subpar. That being said, I always encourage people to lean beyond the bubble that is the 4 C's. With the exception of weight, each one of the other C's have a range of what makes them better or worse. There are a hand full of other reasons why a stone is better or worse - if you see a 2ct round F VS2 that's drastically cheaper than another one - there is most likely a reason. Lastly, there are 2 main components that make up the price of the piece of jewelry itself, stones aside, those are labor rate of where they were made, and the quality requirements. Many consumers are tempted by price, while others are tempted by quality. If you are one of those people that are seeking quality, feel free to reach out to me.

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'A diamond in the rough' takes on new meaning in the precious diamond business. While it technically describes uncut diamonds, the idea of uncovering hidden value applies far more to colored diamonds. Colored diamonds are a subsection of our industry that has incredible room for growth. For me, I love to delve deep into their diverse values and strengths, showcasing those that resonate with sophistication and elegance. Colored diamonds open up a world of creative potential in jewelry craft.

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Everyone is talking about diamond prices CRUSHING ARE THEY ??? A few points to remember – PUT THINGS IN CONTEXT!!! 1.      Went down, yes, but they also peaked around the year 2023 2.      We should stop talking about diamonds like it’s ONE product. There are many size groups, color groups, fancy color diamonds, so many types of diamonds that you cannot treat them all the same. While some items went down, some remained stable, with minor declines.   Will you say, “watch prices went down” ? You can, and it’s true that from 2022 peak, it went down, but still, on stainless steel Rolex, you end up paying 50% up to double the retail price.   So, all I’m saying is let’s put things into the proper context.   HATIMA TOVA & SHANA TOVA Follow me on IG Roi_Sheinfeld #diamondprices #Hongkong #shanatova

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🌍 Did You Know? 83% of consumers today find it somewhat or very important to buy ethically sourced diamonds. The desire for transparency, sustainability, and authenticity is only growing in the jewelry industry—and meeting these expectations can set your business apart in a big way! With Rare and Forever ethically sourced natural diamonds, you can provide customers with confidence and integrity. As a diamond wholesaler, we're committed to helping hundreds of independent jewelers stand out against local and online competition. From meticulous sourcing to transparency at every stage, we ensure that each Rare and Forever diamond meets rigorous ethical standards. 💎 Offer a product your customers can feel good about—and elevate your store as a trusted source for high-quality, ethically sourced diamonds. Want to learn how Rare and Forever can bring this advantage to your business? Let's connect! Learn more about what makes us special ▶️ https://ow.ly/w2mW50UcKf9 #Diamonds #EthicallySourced #RareAndForever #JewelryIndustry #IndependentJewelers

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Tradeshows have a way of showing us what’s coming in the jewelry industry. Recently, I’ve seen more demand for lab-grown diamonds and recycled metals—a trend that’s only growing stronger. Sustainable practices aren’t just a nice-to-have anymore; they’re essential. It’s inspiring to see how our industry continues to evolve with these values in mind. #Sustainability #LabGrownDiamonds #JewelryIndustry

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Throughout history, jewelry appraising has evolved from informal assessments to a formalized profession, reflecting changes in society, technology, and commerce. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on consumer protection and transparency in the jewelry market. Appraisers are often required to adhere to specific regulations, ensuring that their evaluations are accurate and reliable. Knowing how to run a successful business is imperative to jewellery appraisers. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gdDHMGmU

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Synthetics will dominate bridal in 2024 and the collapse in 2025 when brides figure out they have been ripped off. Synthetic diamonds will go the way of CZ. Retailers who sell synthetic diamond engagement rings for huge profits will have to answer to brides who see their thousand dollar engagement rings offered for sale at WalMart for hundreds or even tens of dollars. Real natural diamonds will return as the ultimate gift of commitment because they are valuable as is the marital relationship. Millennial women in their thirties are not interested in tinder experiences. They want stable long term relationships and the opportunity to have children with men they love. Men also want loyalty, love and commitment. The synthetic engagement ring trend will blow away as will the jewelers selling them. Marriage is not a one night stand. Engagement rings are not costume jewelry.

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Saks will now have Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Saks OFF 5TH in its portfolio. Under the agreement, first reported this summer, Saks will acquire 36 Neiman Marcus stores across key states like California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and New York. The acquisition was funded with equity contributions from major players like Amazon, Salesforce, and Authentic Brands Group (known for Reebok, Forever 21, and Billabong). According to Bloomberg, the move aims to boost profitability by leveraging stronger vendor relationships and reducing supply chain costs.

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The latest data from Tenoris: US specialty jewelers experienced a 2.1% decrease in jewelry sales, with a 3.5% decline in units sold compared to the previous year, driven by weak demand for natural diamonds. Based on data from over 2,000 US jewelry retailers, the cost of goods sold decreased by 3.2% year over year, contributing to an increase in overall gross margins to 50% in the first half of 2024. Despite this, revenue from finished jewelry and diamond sales softened by 0.6% during the same period, while the average retail price of items sold saw a modest 0.7% increase. For a more detailed view of market trends and performance, check out the full report here: https://lnkd.in/dw-8Gtnf

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