Analysis
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Jun- 2019 -3 June
Disrupting physical: Who needs a store?
Only a few months ago, I was discussing the longevity of the high street with an e-commerce director at a luxury furniture retailer. Recalling the closing down sales in my local House of Fraser, I suggested it was just the beginning of an industry-wide revolution. His response surprised me. “It’s…
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May- 2019 -9 May
How jewellers can utilise their independent status
As an independent jewellery retailer or brand, you are in a unique position to highlight your status as a smaller business, and capitalise on this. According to The Federation of Small Businesses, 52% of all private sector turnover comes from small businesses. This is but one statistic indicative of the…
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Mar- 2019 -8 March
The environmental impact of diamonds
The millennial generation is taking positive steps to fall on the right side of history when it comes to some of the most unethical, destructive or unscrupulous trends facing our planet in the 21st Century. It appears in all kinds of guises, and is met with varying levels of scepticism…
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Jan- 2019 -31 January
How jewellers can replicate the in-store experience, online
Whether it’s a necklace for a partner’s birthday or the all-important engagement ring, when it comes to buying jewellery, understandably consumers like to put in the research before making their investment. Often viewed as a luxury item, jewellery can of course come at great expense. With variables such as brand,…
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30 January
Remembering your customer’s name is the key to boosting sales
Cheers was a popular 1980s TV show and if you play a rerun you will see Sam, the bartender and his staff greet every customer by their name. Ask your salespeople: “How many repeat customers can they remember and greet them by their name?” However, before you do, I recommend…
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16 January
The generation gap in contemporary jewellery
Over the last nine years I’ve been working with independent professional jewellers in London, providing training in CAD for jewellery manufacturing. While many of my students and colleagues would classify themselves as fine jewellers, there are many more who classify themselves as jewellery designer-makers. Whether they come from the 50-year-old…
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7 January
What does Brexit mean for the high street jeweller?
2018 has been a tumultuous year for the UK high street and Brexit is now just over the horizon, bringing with it the culmination of two years of wrangling, debate and uncertainty about what will be the state of UK will be once we leave. But Simon Forrester, CEO of…
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Nov- 2018 -16 November
What makes a professional salesperson?
Salespeople must learn to connect to their customer’s emotions. It has everything to do with the salesperson’s attitude and less to do with their product knowledge and experience. If you have read previous articles of mine in Jewellery Focus such as ‘It’s Your Attitude That Sells’ and ‘Hire by the…
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Sep- 2018 -26 September
What is composable jewellery?
Creating your own unique look has long been an important part of the fashion industry for decades, from copying the fashion style of Marilyn Monroe to wearing the latest items of clothing from David Beckham, people around the world strive to wear what’s ‘on-trend’. Consumers use fashion, and its various…
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Jul- 2018 -31 July
How pop-up shops are changing perspectives
The retail market is forever expanding and changing and it’s important to stay ahead of the curve. For many years, the simple shop space was enough to gain customers, but as people were hit by tighter budgets as well as an influx of technology, spending habits have changed. As rents…
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