We’ve all worked hard to establish relationships with suppliers. When you find one who is always on the same page, who always meets your needs, you might see little reason to change. But the past two years have called these traditional relationships into question.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) have released a study on loss prevention in the retail industry. The study covers inventory shrink, employee integrity, and organized retail crime, offering insights into how major retailers are dealing with these issues.

In the face of an inflation crisis pushing consumers to their limit, Congress is looking to decline rising credit card swipe fees. As credit and debit become the preferred option for consumers, these fees can pile up for businesses. Only 12% of American consumers use cash on a daily basis, with credit or debit cards making up some 80% of all in-store transactions.

It is harder than ever to hire and retain employees. This is true for both B2B and B2C businesses in just about any industry, but it is especially difficult to find talented, reliable salespeople.

Is your website an apartment building or a carnival?

Lab-grown diamonds are becoming an increasingly popular choice for consumers concerned both with cost and sustainability. As more people choose lab-grown for meaningful purchases such as engagement rings and graduation gifts, jewelers and gemologists will see more requests for appraisals of jewelry containing lab-grown diamonds.

All of those weddings put on hold by the pandemic seem to be happening at once. We’re also catching up on a lot of socializing, reacclimating to being out in public—and actually feeling like looking our best again. Whether it’s a wedding, graduation party, work event, anniversary, or other formal occasion, we’re going to need something to wear, new shoes, makeup, and, of course, jewelry. But instead of buying new jewelry, consumers now have the option of renting the perfect piece for that special occasion. Fine jewelry rental is the latest trend hitting the jewelry industry, but will it last?

Where do most people go when they’re looking for…well, anything? That’s right, Google. People looking for a local restaurant do it, consumers comparing prices on electronics do it, even luxury jewelry shoppers do it. That’s why it’s important to claim and update your Google Business Profile.

The customer journey is a critical part of any business, and it’s something that all businesses should be thinking about. It’s also an area where you can really make a difference in connecting with your prospects and customers.

About five years ago or so, we saw a spate of online articles and blogs mourning the mall, eulogies delivered through pictures of eerie abandoned interiors and vast empty parking lots. Briefly, we all became 21st century Wordsworths lamenting our lost youth among the ruins of Tintern Abbey. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the decline of the mall, and today, more than two years after the beginning of the pandemic, the European owner of Westfield Malls is looking to cut its losses and unload its portfolio of American malls.

Everyone in business, whether B2B or B2C, knows that a meticulously crafted business plan is the foundation for success. It’s also a necessity for attracting investors, executives, or bank loans. A business plan is a company’s roadmap to its goals, and not working with one is like leaving the house on a cross-country trip without first getting directions.

One of the main selling points of lab-grown diamonds among today’s environmentally conscious, socially responsible consumer is the ethics factor.

If you’re wondering why you need a blog, wonder no longer. Just read our article this month on 3rd party data. In the absence of 3rd party data, how does a website compete? Through organic search, being interesting to customers, and motivating customers to share their contact data directly with them.

Last year Apple turned the online advertising community on its head with its iOS14 update. This month, Google’s Android update is doing more of the same.

The Russian war against Ukraine has created numerous supply chain issues for jewelers around the world.

Social media is where many consumers first meet a brand.

It’s a tight labor market out there. With 10 million job openings and an unemployment rate of 3.8%, businesses of all kinds are having to work hard to recruit and retain employees. It’s not enough anymore to post an opening on LinkedIn and wait for the resumes to roll in. Here are five things you can do to make your business more attractive in today’s market.

We’ve weathered the worst of the pandemic and come out with new ideas about doing business and relating to customers and employees, but there is still a great deal of uncertainty and change ahead for jewelry retailers.

According to Bain & Company’s annual diamond industry report, 70% of consumers research online and decide on a purchase before they make an in-store jewelry purchase.

You can’t open a newspaper (or news app) these days without reading at least one article about supply chain woes.