MajorsJul 29, 2022
Jewelers of America Elects 4 New Directors to Board IndependentsAug 03, 2022
Day’s Jewelers Announces New VP of Merchandising
Julie Collins succeeds Kathy Corey in the role.
Julie Collins is Day’s Jewelers new vice president of merchandising.
Waterville, Maine—When searching for its next VP of Merchandising, Day’s Jewelers looked within.
The retailer promoted Julie Collins to the role last month, succeeding Kathy Corey.
Corey and husband Jeff purchased Day’s Jewelers in 1988. She will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors.
Collins joined the company in 2002 as an office manager at the Auburn, Maine location.
She went on to work as office manager at the Manchester, New Hampshire location, then as manager of inventory operations at the company’s corporate office.
For 10 years, Collins worked in buying for various categories including gemstones, watches, gold, silver fashion, and giftware.
“Twenty years ago, I started working at Day’s knowing absolutely nothing about the jewelry business,” she said. “This is an amazing industry with so many people willing to share their knowledge and experience. I am very excited to lead our incredibly strong and experienced merchandising team.”
Collins will oversee the 10-person merchandising department, providing guidance and training.
The department handles product acquisition, quality control, distribution, and security.
Collins’ role puts her in charge of $15 million worth of inventory. She will maintain relationships with 200 gemstone and fine jewelry suppliers, including De Beers.
In her new VP role, she will work in the Waterville, Maine corporate office.
Kathy Corey said of her replacement, “Through the various positions she’s held, Julie has acquired a broad knowledge of Day’s Jewelers store operations and customer insight, especially in the areas of merchandising as inventory operations manager and as a fine jewelry buyer for the last 14 years.
“I’m extremely proud that one of our own employees was Day’s preferred choice as our new vice president of merchandising. Julie is well prepared to take on her new leadership role and adopt innovative ideas for the future of Day’s.”
Related stories will be right here …
The retailer promoted Julie Collins to the role last month, succeeding Kathy Corey.
Corey and husband Jeff purchased Day’s Jewelers in 1988. She will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors.
Collins joined the company in 2002 as an office manager at the Auburn, Maine location.
She went on to work as office manager at the Manchester, New Hampshire location, then as manager of inventory operations at the company’s corporate office.
For 10 years, Collins worked in buying for various categories including gemstones, watches, gold, silver fashion, and giftware.
“Twenty years ago, I started working at Day’s knowing absolutely nothing about the jewelry business,” she said. “This is an amazing industry with so many people willing to share their knowledge and experience. I am very excited to lead our incredibly strong and experienced merchandising team.”
Collins will oversee the 10-person merchandising department, providing guidance and training.
The department handles product acquisition, quality control, distribution, and security.
Collins’ role puts her in charge of $15 million worth of inventory. She will maintain relationships with 200 gemstone and fine jewelry suppliers, including De Beers.
In her new VP role, she will work in the Waterville, Maine corporate office.
Kathy Corey said of her replacement, “Through the various positions she’s held, Julie has acquired a broad knowledge of Day’s Jewelers store operations and customer insight, especially in the areas of merchandising as inventory operations manager and as a fine jewelry buyer for the last 14 years.
“I’m extremely proud that one of our own employees was Day’s preferred choice as our new vice president of merchandising. Julie is well prepared to take on her new leadership role and adopt innovative ideas for the future of Day’s.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
