While retailers and consumers in the Northeast battled the weekend's icy weather, most of the jewelers who spoke to National Jeweler today said they have been unaffected by Mother Nature's wintry wrath so far this holiday season, with business continuing as usual.
Anshus Jewelers in Menomonie, Wis., located east of St. Paul in northern Wisconsin, was too far north to have been affected by the weekend's wintry mix, storeowner John Anshus said.
Anshus described the weekend as overcast, but said in general, "the weather wasn't bothering us."
Anshus said his store had a strong year in 2006, and that the season so far this year is going well.
"I think we're pretty much average," he said. "We're doing as well as expected with today's economy."
Among Anshus Jewelers' most consistent sellers this weekend was gold jewelry. Although this might be surprising given gold's current high price, Anshus attributes the sales to his store being in business for a long time and his stock of gold jewelry in the $300 to $400 price range. Because of this stock, the store can afford to sell at comparatively lower prices.
Further south in Lexington, Ky., Bill Farmer Jr. of Farmer's Jewelry said Midwesterners were hit by a big storm about three years back, so in comparison, the weekend ice storm didn't faze them.
"We got the back edge of it and a lot of worried weathermen," he said.
Farmer said sales for the weekend were consistent in two areas: Honora pearl jewelry and Wideband jewelry, which includes museum-quality replica coin jewelry as well as ancient coin jewelry. Honora sells, Farmer said, because "it's fashion, it's price points, it's easy for people in a certain budget." Farmer said Honora pearls can run anywhere from $20 to $250, while Wideband sells for $200 to $800.
As for the "big stuff," as Farmer put it, diamond studs were hot sellers, with princess cuts moving in addition to rounds.
Over on the West Coast, weather conditions were not an issue for retailers, though the same can't be said for weeks past.
Steven Goldfarb of Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler in Bellevue, Wash., said sales this weekend as compared with last year were very strong.
"Saturday felt like Christmas, finally," he said. "I think people suddenly realized there's only one week left."
While the weather in the Bellevue area over the past few days has been in the 40s with rain showers, it's par for the course in Washington State at this time. Unusually strong rains further south of Bellevue two weeks ago, however, shut down Interstate 5, one of the state's main highways, Goldfarb said. Luckily, the storm didn't cause problems for store traffic.
A year ago, though, it was a windstorm that did some damage to the area, knocking out power. Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler was officially closed for one day, and, in a creative turn, the store held a sale by candlelight the next day.
Goldfarb said the store always does well with watches, but "jewelry started perking up" this past weekend. In particular, more fashionable, micro-pavé pieces sold, as did colored-gemstone jewelry, including sapphire and ruby bracelets, and designer jewelry by Rhonda Faber Green and Roberto Coin.
One request Goldfarb heard often this weekend was for custom pieces.
"We did have a number of people asking, 'I have an idea, I'd like you to make it up.'"
With Christmas only a week away, however, Goldfarb says there's too little time now to take such requests.
In Southern California, with mild temperatures in the 50s, weather problems did not come into play for San Diego's George Carter Jessop Jeweler.
"That's not an issue for me—knock on wood," owner James Jessop said. "Our ability to have shoppers come in and work with us has been pretty fair."
While Jessop said the store has had its share of bad situations, including fallout from the wildfires that hit the region earlier this fall, weather conditions have not had an impact on the current holiday season.
"I feel it has been stronger than years past, or at least we've been busier," he said.
Diamond jewelry did well over the weekend, Jessop said.
"It seems like it's been a good season for me for diamonds by the yard," he said.
Studs were also strong sellers, and Jessop said it's also been a big season for engagement rings.
At B.C. Burke Fine Jewelry in Orland, Maine, owner Georgia Burke said it's been an average year for her store thus far, with winter weather affecting business for just one day. Although her "open" sign was on during a snowstorm, the store pretty much closed down, Burke said.
Lower price-point items aren't selling as well for Burke this holiday season, but higher-priced items are making up for the loss.
Down in Albany, Ga., rain has been a nuisance this winter, but Allen's Jewelers owner Steve Allen said it is actually good for him since customers can drive right up to his stand-alone store.
"I'm right where I was last year," he says, adding he might even be slightly ahead in sales.
For top sellers, Allen said diamond earrings and emeralds are in demand.
At Brevelle's Jewelry in Lafayette, La., owner Allen Brevelle said it just turned cold, which puts people in the holiday spirit and encourages sales.
Brevelle said sales are steady and about even compared with last year, with diamond earrings selling well.
Brian Newton of Newton Jewelry Co. in Joplin, Mo., faced the major ice storm recently in Missouri that caused so many people to lose power.
"It affected the store for a couple of days," he said, adding that sales were good before the storm and have since rebounded.
"Business is back," he said, adding that it looks to be a good season with diamond pendants doing well.
Evan James Deutsch of Evan James Ltd. in Brattleboro, Vt., said the recent weather, including everything from rain, to sleet, to snow, caused fewer sales in his store, but that he's still on par with last year.
He said it's a winter wonderland in his area today with everyone digging out of the snow, and because of such, expects most sales to occur in the afternoon.
He also said the inexpensive hot ticket this holiday season is silver jewelry and gold charms.
Kelly Newton of Newton's Jewelers in Fort Smith, Ark., said their weather has been cold, but they dodged the major storm bullet.
Newton said he is way ahead in sales this year, with diamond stud earrings, diamond bracelets, diamond engagement rings and yellow gold jewelry as some of his top sellers.
At C. Aaron Penaloza Jewelers in San Antonio, Texas, owner Aaron Penaloza said the weather finally got cold, which he hopes will put people in the Christmas spirit and make them want to buy.
Penaloza said little gold bracelets are selling strongly; in fact, his store is almost running out of them.
Overall, Penaloza said he is down from last year but still hoping for a big finish. Whatever the case, Penaloza said sales have been good overall, so he will come out just fine.
Susan Eisen of Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry, with two locations in El Paso, Texas, said sales are doing pretty well and anticipates a big rush in the last week.
She sees diamonds, designer jewelry and last-minute custom designs as some of her best sellers.
Eisen said when there's bad weather in her area, it tends to draw people into the store and then they don't want to leave; however, it can also prevent people from getting to the store in the first place. Regardless, she said if there is a weather problem, people will usually buy after Christmas too.
Source: nationaljewelernetwork
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