Retail Scope

RAPAPORT… JA Increases Legislative Advocacy

Jewelers of America (JA), expanded its legislative advocacy capabilities to include a state legislation tracking center on its website, www.jewelers.org. In a statement, the national trade association explained that the website is the only online advocacy center of its kind in the jewelry industry and it is accessible to all retail jewelry professionals.

Currently, the center is monitoring two legislative issues: Sales tax fairness bills and jewelry product-related bills, such as those that limit lead in children’s jewelry. JA welcomes input from industry professionals about state issues that are important to their businesses.

JA also launched its second federal legislative action campaign of the year, asking jewelers to contact their legislators and push for a full and permanent repeal of the estate tax. While the tax is fully repealed for this year, on January 1, 2011, it will return with a maximum rate of 55 percent and a $1 million exemption. Members and nonmembers can visit the legislative action center to send messages to Congress about this issue.

In addition, the association announced that it now offers a discount program to its members and their employees: Jewelers of America Member Perks. Members can save on business expenses at companies such as ADP, Sprint and Avis Budget Group. They can also provide discounts to their employees on groceries, movie tickets, clothing, accessories, electronics and vacations as incentives.

Separately, JA announced that its members can receive 10 percent off qualifying Office Depot delivery orders. For more information, visit www.jewelers.org.

Website Promotes Diamond Shopping ‘Secrets’

David Ross is promoting his website, www.theengagementringsecrets.com, as a way to help men and women save 20 percent to 90 percent on their diamond ring purchases. The site offers “The Engagement Ring Secrets” book and membership packages that include several levels of support, as well as tips on securing “substantial savings.”

For the top-tier membership package, priced at $699.95, Ross will negotiate diamond purchases on the consumer’s behalf. Ross guarantees that if members follow his guidelines but still pay more than 20 percent below the retail price for their ring, he will refund the purchase of his package.

Tiffany Releases iPhone App

Tiffany & Co. launched its first iPhone application, or app, called the Tiffany & Co. Engagement Ring Finder. The app allows users to browse the retailer’s collection according to shape, setting, metal or design on their iPhones. Users can zoom in on a ring’s details, pair the rings with wedding bands and save or share their favorites via email, Facebook and Twitter.

The app is available in English in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Australia, as well as in Japanese, with ring prices based on local currency. Prices do not appear in the Chinese version or the international English version.

Hearts on Fire to Provide iPads to Retailers

Hearts on Fire will distribute iPads to its retail partners for use at the point of sale. The devices will allow retailers to search for Hearts on Fire diamond engagement rings according to their retail price, center diamond and mounting design, a company statement explained. Hearts on Fire University will also offer training in the use of the iPad and the company’s web application.

Consumers Prefer Costco’s Jewelry and Watches

In a Consumer Reports magazine survey of 30,666 subscribers on the best places to shop, Costco earned high marks for “better than average value” regarding its watch and jewelry quality, among other categories. Target was judged as offering “below average” quality in the watches and jewelry category. Consumers reported that overall, prices at Walmart were at least as good as prices offered at JCPenney, Sears, Dillard’s, Meijer and other stores. Meanwhile, Dillard’s stood out for high-quality service.

Michael Hill to Shut Half its Stores

Michael Hill International is planning to close eight of its 17 stores in the U.S. in an effort to make its operations there profitable, Dow Jones Newswires reported. Mike Parsell, Michael Hill’s chief executive officer (CEO), told the news service that the move would bring its U.S. business unit closer to profitability. The New Zealand-based company bought 17 stores in Illinois and Missouri from the bankrupt Whitehall Jewelers in July 2008, launching sales in September, as its entrance into the U.S. market.

Jeweler Creates Life-Size Diamond Soccer Ball

South African fine jeweler Shimansky created a full-size soccer ball made of 6,620 white diamonds and 2,640 black diamonds mined and polished in South Africa — valued at $2.6 million (ZAR 20 million), according to South African newspaper The Star. Tracy Jones, a spokeswoman for the jeweler, told the publication that designer Yair Shimansky is in talks with a European soccer club about selling the ball as a World Cup commemorative display piece. The jeweler also designed a unisex World Cup dome ring encrusted with 9.3 carats of pave-set, fancy gray diamonds valued at $16,000 (ZAR 123,140).

— Additional reporting provided by Acquire Media.