IndependentsApr 19, 2022
Sissy’s Log Cabin Strengthening Presence in MemphisIndependentsMay 16, 2022
Karats Jewelers Plans Expansion Into 30,000-Square-Foot Store
The Kansas retailer is aiming for a fall 2023 opening.
Kansas City’s Karats Jewelers plans to move into a new 30,000-square-foot store, a massive expansion from its current 5,500 square feet. Owner Akshay Anand opened the business in 2005, drawing on his family’s extensive jewelry business experience.
Kansas City—Kansas independent Karats Jewelers is planning a major expansion.
The retailer is set to move into a new store that will grow it from its current 5,500 square feet to 30,000 square feet.
Owner Akshay Anand opened the business in 2005, drawing on his family’s experience—he is the sixth generation to be in jewelry.
The store has weathered a major recession and a pandemic since it opened its doors. Now, Anand is ready to grow the business even more.
Located at 12260 Blue Valley Parkway in Kansas City, just five miles from the current Karats Jewelers location, the new store will be designed to provide a better customer experience, Anand told National Jeweler.
Karats’ core business is bridal jewelry, and Anand wants the new Karats to “create an engagement ring experience for the next generation.” Looking beyond millennials, he envisions the new store as a space that matches how the younger generations shop, building trust to sustain the retailer in the future.
“We’re not just looking for the sale but how to capture the market because as they grow, our business will grow.”
Related stories will be right here …
The retailer is set to move into a new store that will grow it from its current 5,500 square feet to 30,000 square feet.
Owner Akshay Anand opened the business in 2005, drawing on his family’s experience—he is the sixth generation to be in jewelry.
The store has weathered a major recession and a pandemic since it opened its doors. Now, Anand is ready to grow the business even more.
Located at 12260 Blue Valley Parkway in Kansas City, just five miles from the current Karats Jewelers location, the new store will be designed to provide a better customer experience, Anand told National Jeweler.
Karats’ core business is bridal jewelry, and Anand wants the new Karats to “create an engagement ring experience for the next generation.” Looking beyond millennials, he envisions the new store as a space that matches how the younger generations shop, building trust to sustain the retailer in the future.
“We’re not just looking for the sale but how to capture the market because as they grow, our business will grow.”
Here’s one example of how Karats plans to capture the market: the retailer will hire a full-time sushi chef from Japan and offer a sushi bar to its customers.
It will also partner with local businesses for events.
Anand added that the new store will offer “environments” for various product categories throughout, like mini shop-in-shops. As a person passionate about the environment and the ecosystem, he also plans on incorporating plenty of trees and flowers into the new store’s design.
Though Karats already carries more than 20 watch brands, the expansion will also bring a greater focus to the watch division, partnering with new brands to offer watches at all price points.
They will also revamp their website and build an app for the store to create a full “hands-on” experience.
The land on which the future store will sit has already been purchased, and the city has approved the plans.
Anand said he anticipates breaking ground in July, with the goal of opening the new Karats Jewelers in fall 2023.
More on Independents
The Latest
Events & AwardsDec 20, 2024
Two Participants Complete Inaugural Ella Klein InternshipJamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
CrimeDec 19, 2024
Alleged Jewelry Thieves Attempt Rowboat EscapeThe man and woman are accused of stealing jewelry from a shipping container then trying to flee by paddling a small boat out into a bay.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
Brought to you by
Advocacy and Excellence: How Jewelers of America Is Committed to Elevating Our Industry For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
Events & AwardsDec 17, 2024
Chanel to Receive Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceThe luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
CrimeDec 17, 2024
‘Black Bin Crew’ Robbers Get 14-16 Years in Prison The three men, who got their nickname because they’d toss the jewelry they stole into black plastic bins, were arrested back in August.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement RingEstimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Martin Katz’s Tanzanite Drops These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
Recorded WebinarsDec 13, 2024
Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
AuctionsDec 12, 2024
Tom Brady’s Watches Top $4M at Sotheby’s AuctionThe highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
SourcingDec 12, 2024
Grizzly Emerald Auction Garners $22.4MRecent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
MajorsDec 12, 2024
Mark Henry Appoints New Director of SalesCarrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
SourcingDec 12, 2024
De Beers Announces 2024 ‘Shining Light’ Award WinnersThe competition awarded 12 designers, each from a country where De Beers recovers diamonds, with business support and tuition assistance.
CollectionsDec 12, 2024
The Jared Atelier x Vera Wang Collection Emphasizes EleganceThe high jewelry collection features 14 one-of-a-kind pieces, with serpent and ribbon motifs winding their way through the collection.
