Timothy Braun

US jewelry sales remained flat in August following a period of growth in July, according to Tenoris. Retailers have seen a surge in inventories recently, particularly in lab-grown jewelry, indicating potential challenges ahead. Natural diamond jewelry sales decreased by 3% year over year, while lab-grown jewelry sales saw a 10% increase despite a 17% decline in average price. This trend warrants attention as it may signify underlying market shifts. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dAPvmDZC

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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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In a step towards further consolidating luxury retail, the involvement of Amazon and Salesforce in this acquisition, coupled with a substantial technology investment, raises the question: could this initiative rescue the luxury retail market? #retail #saksfifthavenue #amazon #salesforce #neimanmarcus #retailtechnology

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https://lnkd.in/dv4RrxAS “Then there’s the question of sustainability, which arises from the fact that we are living far outside our planetary boundaries. Gone are the days when there was no end to consumption and when we drew on our natural resources as if there were no limits. All fashion brands are facing this challenge, but with luxury comes the extra question: How can we keep hold of years of tradition while also evolving and innovating in this context? What can we keep, and what has to go? Weaving excellence into strategy means adapting to what is unexpected on the one hand and innovating on the other.” #luxurybrandmanagement #luxurysustainability #luxurybrandstrategist #innovation #tradition #excellence #branddna #luxurybusiness

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Rumors: Saks Fifth Avenue could be in talk with Neiman Marcus Group for a takeover. In this regards Saks’ flagship location in Manhattan (valued at 3.62Bn USD) could serve as a collateral to raise financial resources. Neiman CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck firmly rejected such possibility: "no need” to sell the business. Both firms are leading retailers in United States for jewellery and luxury goods. #jewelry #jewellery #luxury https://lnkd.in/dP46VnM3

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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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Mixed figures for the holiday season to date. Our initial analysis finds that overall jewelry sales rose 2.5% in November. This despite a 2% decline in unit sales. Diamond jewelry sales were flat, but average consumer expenditure rose 5.4%. More to follow.

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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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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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Developing a Strong Store Design Strategy 🛒💡 In today’s competitive market, a well-executed store design can make all the difference. Unfortunately, a weak store design strategy can hinder brand recognition and dilute a brand’s personality and DNA. When consumers step into your stores, they should instantly connect with your brand. Here’s why it matters: 1.    Brand Recognition: A strong store design ensures that customers recognize your brand immediately. From the layout to the signage, every element should reflect your brand’s essence. 2.    Advertising Power: Your stores are more than just physical spaces; they’re powerful advertising tools. Each detail—whether it’s the lighting, materials,  displays, or product arrangement—should reinforce your brand message. 3.    Competing Beyond Price: Weak brands often fall into the price competition trap. By investing in a cohesive store design based on your brand positioning, you can differentiate yourself and compete on value rather than price alone. Remember, every millimeter of your store contributes to your brand’s story. Make sure it aligns seamlessly with your brand DNA. 🚀

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How beautiful is this #jewelrystore design? Regarding #jewelryretail, how important do you think the store's design is and what impact does a #stylist or #visualmerchandiser have?

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One day after EssilorLuxottica announced its deal to acquire Supreme from VF Corporation, Meta, Facebook's owner, is in talks to acquire a stake of about 5% in the eyewear company. Based on recent market value, a roughly 5% stake could be valued at around $5 billion, a relatively small for Meta, given its market value of around $1.2 trillion. EssilorLuxottica makes Meta's Ray Ban smart glasses and sales of the glasses have exceeded expectations. The devices, an important part of Meta’s hardware strategy, allow users to take photos and listen to music with the frames of their glasses, among other features. Maintaining ties with Luxottica is crucial for the success of smart glasses devices and the company’s ambitions to build the so-called metaverse, which is a term used to describe people interacting in a 3-D version of the internet simultaneously. A third generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, expected to include a small screen display, is expected to be ready for consumers in time for the 2025 holiday season. The allure of Luxottica’s Ray-Ban brand is important to the success of a tech device that users are expected to wear on their faces. Luxottica’s ownership of LensCrafters, the prescription-eyewear retailer, also plays a key role in selling the Ray-Ban Meta to users who require prescription lenses. The two companies began working together several years ago for the release of the first generation Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses, which went on sale in 2021. The initial device struggled to catch on with consumers, and among the glasses that were sold, only 10% of the Ray-Ban Stories were actively used by their purchasers. The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses went on sale in September and have done significantly better than their predecessors. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses operate more quickly and have better cameras than their predecessor. The Ray-Ban Meta also includes nascent generative #AI technology that allows users to ask the device for information about the things in front of them, such as the breed of a cat. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses have proven popular for users who want to shoot hands-free videos of their children playing and first-person videos of themselves while going on roller coasters or riding bikes. Meta hasn’t said how well the Ray-Ban Meta glasses have sold, but CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in April that the device was doing well and that a market for that type of device was developing sooner than he would have expected. Meta sells its own devices to employees at a discount, and offers the Ray-Ban Meta glasses at a 15% discount with a limit of 3 pairs per employee. The new glasses have proven so popular internally that some employees have tried to get extra pairs from their colleagues after hitting the 3-pair limit. #strategy #technology #smartdevice https://lnkd.in/ePwG-bSc?

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🌟 Exciting News from Saks: Embracing Growth and Innovation 🌟 Saks and Neiman Marcus are joining forces to create Saks Global! As Marc Metrick, CEO of Saks, mentioned recently to WWD, their focus remains on what they can control amidst regulatory processes. The strategy is clear: to drive growth and enhance customer experiences. Named "Saks Global," this new entity reflects their commitment to leveraging technology and real estate assets to redefine luxury retail. While discussions about international expansion are underway, their immediate priority is strengthening the brand presence in North America. "We understand the importance of financial stability and responsibility. Rest assured, the merger's financing will not affect day-to-day operations or vendor relationships. Our goal is to maintain transparency and uphold our commitments to partners." say Mark to WWD. This merger marks a significant step forward for Saks Global in the Luxury Retail journey. As they look forward to continuing to provide exceptional experiences for their customers and creating new opportunities for their brand partners. Now I wonder, after this exciting merger, how will Saks Global redefine luxury retail and elevate customer experiences in the years to come? Stay tuned for more updates as we navigate this exciting chapter together! 🚀 #SaksGlobal #LuxuryRetail #Innovation #GrowthStrategy

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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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I think the impact of these two industry luxury leaders will be very interesting to watch. This article focuses more on the beauty side, but there are many less obvious impacts this will have on multiple industries. Jewelry, apparel, accessories, marketing, the list goes on. When you take two known names and structure them to be more profitable and leverage the best of the branded and marketing teams, get ready for an explosion of growth potential. This will also add to an even further divide in the retail sector between department stores following the wealth division in the US. Naming the large department stores now, Saks Fifth Avenue/Neiman Marcus Group, Nordstrom, Dillard's Inc., Von Mauer, Macy's, JCPenney, Kohl's, then discounters.... not many national choices but they all have very focused demographic groups. Stay tuned!

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A 1.22 carat F color VVS1 clarity marquise Nat.Diamond engagement ring with FG/VS-Si Nat.Diamonds on the shank sounds exquisite. Here's a breakdown of the features: 1. Center Diamond: - Carat Weight: 1.22 carats - Shape: Marquise - Color: F (nearly colorless, high quality) - Clarity: VVS1 (Very, Very Slight Inclusions 1, meaning inclusions are extremely difficult to see under 10x magnification) - Certification: HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant, a respected European gemological institute) & GD Diamond Report 2. Setting: - Diamonds on the Shank: Smaller diamonds FG/VS-Si, ex make set into the band of the ring, enhancing its overall sparkle and elegance. The marquise cut is an elongated shape with pointed ends, known for making the fingers appear longer and more slender. An F color and VVS1 clarity ensure the diamond is of high quality, with excellent brilliance and minimal inclusions. If you have more specific questions about this ring or need advice on purchasing, feel free to ask!

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💭 Where Does Michael Kors Go from Here? With Tapestry's $8.5 billion deal to acquire Capri Holdings falling through, the future of Michael Kors is at a pivotal juncture. CEO John Idol’s strategy to reignite growth focuses on bringing back customer-favorite products at more accessible prices, balancing trendiness with affordability, and re-entering the wholesale space after a pullback. This begs the question: can Michael Kors reclaim its dominance while resonating with today’s value-conscious shopper? The brand’s challenge lies in reversing declining sales while competing against strong market players like Coach, who’ve successfully modernized and captured younger consumers. Capri’s fortunes rest heavily on Michael Kors’ success—it makes up 70% of their net sales. Idol admits past efforts at elevating the brand and focusing on trendy, high-priced items missed the mark, distancing core customers and not quite connecting with new ones. Now, as they pivot back, is it too late, or can this recalibrated strategy steer the ship toward growth? 🔎 I’d love to hear your thoughts: Will more affordable, classic products bring back loyal customers? Can the brand strike a balance between trendsetting and accessibility in a crowded market? What does this pivot mean for Capri's overall market position, especially with Jimmy Choo and Versace in the mix? Let's discuss where Michael Kors could go from here and whether this strategy could genuinely change its fortunes. #FashionIndustry #RetailStrategy #MichaelKors #CapriHoldings #LuxuryFashion #BusinessTurnaround #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #Innovation #FashionBusiness #RetailSuccess #GlobalMarkets #LuxuryBranding #MarketTrends #RetailInsights #CustomerEngagement #FashionIndustryNews #ConsumerBehavior #LuxuryFashion

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Interesting BOF article on Rimowa, interesting watching and observing their trajectory. "Functional Luxury’: How Rimowa Keeps Growing in a Downturn After quadrupling sales in five years following LVMH’s acquisition, the German luggage maker is seeing continued momentum during rocky times for high-end shopping, including in China. CEO Hugues Bonnet-Masimbert says the brand is focusing on functionality and innovation, including its first push into the handbag category." @simonesterncarbone #simonesterncarbone #BOF "Is @LVMH Playing the Long Game in Functional Luxury? @BoF article on @Rimowa's success got me thinking about LVMH's possible strategy in the functional luxury space. Could the investment in Rimowa and the stake in @Moncler be part of a larger play? Rimowa has been killing it lately: • Sales quadrupled in 5 years 📈 • Double-digit growth even as luxury slows 💼 • Expanding beyond travel into handbags 👜Meanwhile, Moncler continues to dominate in performance outerwear. My speculation: @LVMH might be positioning itself to own functional luxury in both 'vessels' (Rimowa) and 'action' (Moncler). It's not just about looking good anymore. Today's luxury consumer wants products that perform. Rimowa's focus on durability and innovation, and Moncler's technical expertise in outerwear, both tap into this trend.Of course, this is just my theory. But the strength of these brands is undeniable. Rimowa's CEO Hugues Bonnet-Masimbert emphasizes their 'functional luxury' appeal, and it's clearly resonating in the market. What do you think? Is functional luxury the next big thing in high-end retail? #FunctionalLuxury #LuxuryStrategy #LVMH #Rimowa #Moncler"

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Don’t Get Caught Unprepared This Season 💎 As we approach the peak season for jewelry retail, it's critical to emphasize the importance of proactive planning. Unfortunately, many retailers still wait until the last minute to place their orders, leaving little time to analyze data and forecast accurately for new designs and trends. This often leads to a frantic, panic-induced shopping spree from cash-and-carry wholesalers, making decisions based on availability rather than strategic planning. Why Last-Minute Planning Fails Last-minute orders compromise the ability to curate a collection that resonates with current trends and customer preferences. It also limits the potential for negotiating better prices and ensuring timely delivery. The end result? Missed opportunities and reduced profit margins. Plan Ahead for Success There's still time to make a strategic plan for the upcoming season. Here are some steps to ensure you're not caught unprepared: 1. Analyze Sales Data: Look at last year’s sales data to identify bestsellers and underperformers. Use this information to forecast demand and make informed decisions about inventory. 2. Stay Ahead of Trends: Keep an eye on emerging trends and incorporate them into your offerings. This might mean investing in new designs or materials that are gaining popularity. 3. Order Early: Place your orders well in advance. Aim for delivery by mid-October to allow ample time for pricing, marketing, and display. 4. Diversify Suppliers: Don’t rely solely on cash-and-carry wholesalers. Establish relationships with multiple suppliers to ensure you have access to a variety of products. 5. Plan Your Marketing: A well-thought-out marketing plan can significantly boost sales. Ensure your team has enough time to create compelling campaigns that highlight your new collections. The Clock is Ticking The clock is ticking, but there is still time to turn things around. By taking a proactive approach, you can ensure your store is stocked with carefully curated, on-trend pieces that appeal to your customers and maximize your profitability this season. Take Action Now Don’t wait until the last minute. Start planning today to avoid the chaos and ensure a successful season. Need assistance reach out 🙋🏼🙋‍♀️. #JewelryRetail #RetailPlanning #TrendForecasting #ProactiveRetail #JewelryDesign #SeasonalSales #RetailStrategy #JewelryMarketing #SupplyChainManagement #shimansky

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