ColumnistsMar 14, 2023
On Data: How Did Independent Jewelers Do in January and February? ColumnistsMar 21, 2023
Squirrel Spotting: Customer Retention Mindset—The New CRM
With jewelry sales coming down from their pandemic highs, retailers need to do all they can to retain existing customers, Peter Smith says.
Peter Smith is an industry consultant, speaker, sales trainer, and author. He can be reached via email at TheRetailSmiths@gmail.com.
There is an old maxim that says, “When customers don’t want to come, nothing can stop them.”
As we transition from an era of jewelry retailing that was nothing short of epic, we would do well to consider the implications of that sentiment.
According to one source, 61 percent of businesses identify customer retention as their biggest challenge. That shouldn’t be a surprise, as the average U.S. business loses 23-30 percent of its customers each year.
Those losses, bad enough in a healthy retail environment, could be catastrophic in a more challenging economy.
With foot traffic returning to an almost two-decades-long downward trajectory, retailers should be paying close attention to their data, and that includes foot traffic counts, rates of conversion, and average sale.
While there are many ways to positively influence those metrics, there is none more so than driving repeat business.
Repeat customers are 70 percent more likely to make a purchase than first-time customers and, on average, they spend 30 percent more.
Additionally, returning customers are a fraction of the cost to get into your store when compared with the expense of new customer acquisition.
As we transition from an era of jewelry retailing that was nothing short of epic, we would do well to consider the implications of that sentiment.
According to one source, 61 percent of businesses identify customer retention as their biggest challenge. That shouldn’t be a surprise, as the average U.S. business loses 23-30 percent of its customers each year.
Those losses, bad enough in a healthy retail environment, could be catastrophic in a more challenging economy.
With foot traffic returning to an almost two-decades-long downward trajectory, retailers should be paying close attention to their data, and that includes foot traffic counts, rates of conversion, and average sale.
While there are many ways to positively influence those metrics, there is none more so than driving repeat business.
Repeat customers are 70 percent more likely to make a purchase than first-time customers and, on average, they spend 30 percent more.
Additionally, returning customers are a fraction of the cost to get into your store when compared with the expense of new customer acquisition.
“There is one compelling reason why it ought to be a bedrock of any retail strategy—your customer wants you to clientele.” - Peter Smith
As I talk to owners of retail stores, they often express frustration that they can’t get their salespeople to do it, as if customer relationship management (CRM) was no more important than choosing which soap to buy rather than a critical strategic initiative for the business.
With no excuses accepted for owners and managers who don’t bother with CRM, or who do not facilitate structured CRM time for their people, it is important to understand why salespeople might be reticent to clientele.
Some of those reasons include the following.
1) They don’t want to be pushy.
2) They don’t know what to say.
3) It feels intrusive, perhaps even desperate.
4) They worry about offending customers.
5) They have no structure or process, often because of indifferent managers.
6) There is no culture in the store for capturing customer information.
7) They’re caught up managing sales and not relationships.
While the list of excuses to not clientele are endless, there is one compelling reason why it ought to be a bedrock of any retail strategy—your customer wants you to clientele.
Customers want to be appreciated and courted by their chosen businesses. They want to be in the club, and any hang-ups salespeople may have about engaging that client denies them that sense of belonging.
We have, in effect, relegated their previous purchases to the status of transaction only instead of the beginning, or continuation, of a trusted relationship.
Threshold resistance is not something experienced only at Graff, Harry Winston, or Bulgari. It is also true for shoppers when contemplating luxury purchases in any jewelry store, including at the mall.
Jewelry stores can be intimidating places for many shoppers and that first transaction is a major psychological breakthrough.
The advantages to customers once they have made that initial purchase are enormous. There now exists an ease of communication for what might previously have been a high-stress purchase.
And while we frequently see habitual loyalty (shopping without having to think too hard about where to go) with banks, grocery stores, dry cleaners, and gas stations, the psychological loyalty (emotional, higher anxiety, trust matters) that comes with “belonging to” a select jewelry store is really important to customers.
In “The Buying Brain, Secrets for Selling to the Subconscious Mind,” Dr. A.K. Pradeep wrote, “The subconscious seems to assign superior value to an experience that combines a sense of exclusivity, on the one hand, with a sense of belonging on the other—a difficult act to balance.”
Difficult indeed, but we have the opportunity, even the obligation, to facilitate that connection and trust through purposeful and structured clientele initiatives. There are numerous outreach possibilities, and they should not be all pitching product.
Examples could include:
1) Thank you (for purchase/for repair/for attending event);
2) To acknowledge a family milestone;
3) In advance of an important occasion;
4) Sending a link or article of interest;
5) Announcing a new brand in the store;
6) A pre-sale on goods that are being phased out;
7) Ring cleaning/check; and
8) Invitation to events for select customers.
While many of us previously were reluctant to give out our cell numbers to a given salesperson or business, we seem much more ready to do so today if someone suggests they will text us when something comes in, or with updates on requested information.
I regularly get and appreciate texts from my dentist, my car repair shop, and my pharmacy. If it’s in my interest to do so, I will readily hand over the number because that method of communication is most convenient for me.
A simple request along the lines of, “I’ll text you when that is ready to be picked up,” makes so much sense for the customer and most often will provide the necessary information.
Once the cell number is given, an immediate request for, “And the best email to reach you?” should follow.
Building a customer profile is an ongoing process. Asking 20 questions to fill out customer profile sheets will be a turnoff.
A good example of this is online retail, where cart abandonment is a major issue, and a big contributor to that is asking the customer to work too hard.
A few tips when reaching out:
1) Be proactive and purposeful;
2) Don’t go back to the same customer too often but also …
3) Don’t wait too long;
4) Every outreach should be unique;
5) Make it easy for the customer to know you; and
6) Tap into orphaned customers (introduce yourself/offer a free inspection, cleaning, etc.).
And lastly, be prepared when the customer comes into your store.
1) Understand the purpose of the visit.
2) Know the purchase history and have a plan.
3) Be aware of time sensitivities and work on the customer’s schedule.
4) Schedule appointments for best success.
5) Be clear and confident in what you are presenting.
In “Decoding the New Consumer Mind: How and Why We Shop and Buy,” Kit Yarrow wrote, “Anxiety turns hassles and any impediment to purchase into deal-breakers. Increased levels of societal anxiety are part of why consumers are more smitten than ever with companies that make shopping and buying easy.”
Let’s do our part to make it easy for customers to shop with us.
Here’s to your success!
More on Columnists
The Latest
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
