The Plumb Club’s Podcast

Innovative Tools to Grow Your Jewelry Retail Business

Technological advancements have revolutionized other industries and the jewelry industry is slowly adapting. Jason Yakubovich and Chris Awad from MJJ Brilliant illustrate the online and ecommerce opportunities that retailers need to take advantage of to stay relevant. From consumer experience on a website, to consistency of messaging via social channels, to optimizing customer support they provide various tips and solutions to help retailers stay ahead of the curve. Jason Yakubovich is the director of operations and Chris Awad is the head of marketing for MJJ Brilliant, a widely recognized manufacturing leader of fine fashion jewelry and a completely vertically integrated company with extensive in-house design capabilities, wholly-owned manufacturing facilities and manufacturing joint ventures.

Don‘t Leave Potential Sales On The Table

In today's very competitive market, no retailer wants to miss out of a sale, nor should they leave potential sales on the table! Through the telling if 3 stories from his numerous years of working with retailers, Russ Whitehouse, provides listening retailers with crucial tips to remember as a store owner. 

Russ Whitehouse is the director of sales operations for Plumb Club Member Wilkerson Express, a division of Wilkerson, the leaders is transition and retirement sales. 

The Basics For Success With Pearls

Pearls are riding high on the fashion wave. Whether they’re presented in leading high-end designer collections for men, on the pages of the hottest fashion magazine or on the screen in hit shows like “The Crown”, pearls are booming! Josh Bazar and Kathy Grenier provide the listener with 5 tips to ensure success in a jewelry store’s offering.  From merchandising to product knowledge to how to display pearls these tips can help a store be successful in selling these amazing gems.  Josh Bazar and Kathy Grenier are from Imperial Pearl, the pre-eminent global source for the finest pearls and the most beautiful pearl jewelry.

Wayfair Has Complicated State And Local Tax Collection. What Do Jewelers Need To Know?

With internet sales growing, it’s more and more common for jewelers to sell their products in multiple states. At the same time, the Supreme Court’s South Dakota v. Wayfair decision has complicated the requirements for collecting sales tax across state lines. Howard Hoff and James Brower, partners at Marks Paneth LLP, the top 50 accounting, tax and advisory firm, explain how jewelry retailers can avoid overpaying taxes, being fined or even getting stuck paying the sales taxes on their own goods.

Diamond Jewelry Trends

Consumer buying habits have changed recently. Sagar Manilal describes how fancy-shaped diamonds are taking a bigger piece of the sales pie and how the availability of easier financing is resulting in higher-priced items being sold at retail. Further, he discusses the impact of technology and how it has become a powerful tool for the jewelry consumer. He also provides some thoughts on what’s in store for the future.  Sagar Manilal manages sales for Indigo Jewelry, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of the S. Vinodkumar Group of companies, one of the most renowned diamond and jewelry companies in the world.   

Shortening The Bridge in Supply Chain

Before diamond jewelry reaches a retailer in order to be sold, it typically travels a long supply chain, passing through many hands and companies. Urmil Gajera takes the listener through this lengthy supply chain journey and points out the benefits to consumers, manufacturers and the industry overall, that are derived by shortening the supply chain and working with responsible suppliers. Urmil Gajera is involved in every aspect of the supply chain for his company, Aneri Jewels, one of the major jewelry manufacturers and distributors in North America, since 2009.  

The Importance of Images

Kye Ehrlich discusses how in our modern world many sales happen online where a retailer has little opportunity to interact with a customer directly. Providing statistics on consumer website actions he points how important the images used are to sales, underscoring that we are reliant upon “visual language” to draw customers in and prove to them the quality of products they are being presented. He provides listeners with several options and helpful tips on getting needed imagery either via vendor/suppliers or outside agencies. Additionally, he provides great insight on how to create needed images in-house effectively and inexpensively with minimal equipment. Kye Ehrlich is the head of photography and graphic art at The Marathon Company, a privately held, third generation family business founded in 1897 - makers of Kiddie Kraft, LeStage and Essentials by Marathon.

 

Retailing in Today’s World

Karl Schmid and Carolina Almanzar provide compelling stats that underscore how important it is for retailers to develop a digital strategy. While neatly demystifying and explaining the acronyms of the digital world, they take the listener on a step-by-step journey to get started on a website or improve what may already be there. They discuss ecommerce and provide solutions and they showcase how social media and consumer experience is crucial – giving a number of helpful tips on each. Karl Schmid is the vice president and Carolina Almanzar, a senior sales representative with IStar Group, companies that have been in operation collectively for over 100 years and combine world class branding with thoughtful packaging.  

Do You Know What Goes Into Your Product Wholesale Price?

Ever wondered how your suppliers arrive at the price they charge you? Corinna Bhasin provides insight into the various costs and elements that make up a product wholesale price. She discusses bills of materials and how changing markets and commodities can affect the price and value of a piece resulting in differing prices during the lifespan of a style. Corinna Bhasin is the Vice President of F.D. Worldwide Merchandise Group. A merchandising and manufacturing house for fine jewelry 1994.

Jewelry Security and Maintenance for Investment Jewelry

For many consumers, securing and maintaining their jewelry investment is paramount. Ralph Quackenbush discusses the various options for securing an item, such as the items construction and attachments. Further he talks about how to insure an item and opportunities that a retailer has to further engage and customer after the purchase in order to keep themselves in top of mind.  Ralph Quackenbush is a senior sales representative for W.R. Cobb Company, a full-service manufacturer, providing solutions to retailers.