ColumnistsMay 24, 2022
The PR Adviser: 10 Questions to Contemplate ColumnistsMay 31, 2022
Squirrel Spotting: Growing Your Business When Unit Sales Peak
Discount less and sell more expensive products, Peter Smith writes.
Peter Smith is an industry consultant, speaker, sales trainer, and author. He can be reached via email at TheRetailSmiths@gmail.com.
Dan Ariely, the author of “Predictably Irrational,” one of the seminal books on psychology, wrote, “If we see a discounted item, we will instinctively assume its quality is less than that of a full-price item—and then, in fact, we will make it so.”
The psychology of pricing is no easy matter.
In many respects, we see what we want to see, and, absent the safety of company prohibitions, our actions are often the result of personal biases, effected with little consideration for the overall health of the business or the longer-term benefits to customers; pricing becomes nothing more than a baseline for discussion, even as that discussion is often a catalyst for customer anxiety.
Price ambiguity can, at its worst, be a descent into the abyss of unprofitability.
Accepting the profound impact that pricing has on profitability, and, consequently, the health of a business, one would expect a good deal more discussion on the subject, as a moral issue, as a practical matter, and from the perspective of consumer psychology.
With the amazing run we are seeing with jewelry and timepiece sales these past couple of years, it would be easy to ignore the impact of discounting and pricing decisions in general. However, there are signs now emerging that should signal a note of caution for the near future.
The biggest of those signs is a flattening of unit sales with independent retail jewelry stores.
Related stories will be right here …
The psychology of pricing is no easy matter.
In many respects, we see what we want to see, and, absent the safety of company prohibitions, our actions are often the result of personal biases, effected with little consideration for the overall health of the business or the longer-term benefits to customers; pricing becomes nothing more than a baseline for discussion, even as that discussion is often a catalyst for customer anxiety.
Price ambiguity can, at its worst, be a descent into the abyss of unprofitability.
Accepting the profound impact that pricing has on profitability, and, consequently, the health of a business, one would expect a good deal more discussion on the subject, as a moral issue, as a practical matter, and from the perspective of consumer psychology.
With the amazing run we are seeing with jewelry and timepiece sales these past couple of years, it would be easy to ignore the impact of discounting and pricing decisions in general. However, there are signs now emerging that should signal a note of caution for the near future.
The biggest of those signs is a flattening of unit sales with independent retail jewelry stores.
March’s decline of 1 percent and April’s decline of 2 percent might not yet trigger fire alarms, but they are import indicators as unit sales have long served as a proxy for foot traffic. Put simply, foot traffic has likely begun to recede from the heady days of late 2020 and 2021.
If you plan on growing your business in an environment with fewer people coming through your door, and fewer units of sales, you must explore strategies to increase your average ticket.
There are effectively two ways to do that.
The first is to stop discounting, or at least discount less, and the second is to sell more expensive products.
In a prominent case on price perception, researchers from Stanford and California’s Institute of Technology tested wines on students while measuring their brains on fMRI technology.
Without telling the students, the researchers presented the same wine twice. Once, telling the students that the wine was a reasonably priced variety. The second time, telling the students that the wine was a very expensive type.
The reaction of the students was to point to the most expensive wine (again, the exact same wine they had tasted earlier believing it to be a lower price) as the most enjoyable.
However, rather than arriving at their assessment of the “expensive wine” because they believed they ought to prefer the expensive wine (who among us wants to admit we can’t tell the difference between ordinary and extraordinary wine?), what the researchers discovered was something they had not expected.
“If you plan on growing your business in an environment with fewer people coming through your door, and fewer units of sales, you must explore strategies to increase your average ticket.”
When the expensive wine was presented and the students were told it was the expensive wine, there was a flurry of activity in their medial orbitofrontal cortices not witnessed when they believed they were drinking the lesser priced wine. That’s the area of the brain where we perceive pleasantness.
In short, telling the students that it was a higher-priced product actually changed their neurology and improved their enjoyment of the wine.
Roger Dooley wrote in his book “Brainfluence: 100 Ways to Persuade and Convince Consumers With Neuromarketing” that, “What the research shows is that what customers believe about a product can turn into reality; if they believe a product is better, it will be better.”
This is probably as good a time as any to remind ourselves that we can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear. I’ve never seen any research to support the idea that taking a poorly constructed piece of jewelry and marking it up to pretend it is something else is ever a good long-term strategy.
What customers want more than anything else is to come away from their shopping experience feeling good about what they purchased. They don’t want to harbor regrets about whether they bought the right thing or not and, provided the quality is good and as stated, they actually feel better when they pay more for a product. They assume that the premium priced product is a better quality.
You may believe your customers want the lowest price. Your salespeople may be primed to negotiate and make a deal with every diamond conversation. You may even believe that you are doing your customer a favor by discounting your products or by under-selling the customer.
But you would be far better articulating the real value proposition of your products. Understand what customers really want and inspire them to reach and extend themselves to acquire the best products they can. That, ultimately, is the best deliverable.
You might even include a nice bottle of wine.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Columnists
The Latest
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
Weekly QuizJun 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
Policies & IssuesJun 17, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Names New Executive DirectorMarianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesIts app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
IndependentsJun 15, 2026
DeBoulle Diamond & Jewelry to Renovate Dallas FlagshipThe revamped, elevated space will feature a two-story Patek Philippe atelier and a rooftop patio for parties.
WatchesJun 15, 2026
G-Shock, Coca-Cola Partner on Bottle-Inspired WatchThe special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.
TrendsJun 15, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Tiny Charms Are TrendingHere are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.
AuctionsJun 12, 2026
16th-Century ‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Going Up for Auction in LondonFound by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
