Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
IndependentsJun 28, 2017
Squirrel Spotting: You Don’t Need To Outrun the Bear
You just need to outrun the other jewelers who haven’t adapted their businesses, Peter Smith writes.
Peter Smith has more than 30 years of experience building wholesale and retail sales teams. He currently is president of Vibhor Gems.
When we find ourselves in the middle of challenging days, we would do well to remember the story of the two guys getting chased by a bear.
Mid-pursuit, one of them stops to tie his shoelaces. His friend looks at him aghast and exclaims, “You think you’re going to outrun the bear?” The guy responds, as he rises to resume his run: “I don’t need to outrun the bear. I just need to outrun you!”
It is easy to descend into the abyss, believing that events are conspiring against us. It is convenient to blame forces outside of our control, to lament our misfortune as foot traffic declines, average tickets regress, retail stores close and younger people seem less than enthralled at the prospect of shopping in jewelry stores.
The reality is that we hold the key to our own destinies. If we were to honestly assess our own operations, our decision-making, our execution, even our mindset, there’s a very strong likelihood that we are simply not doing all, or even most, of the things we need to be doing within our own four walls.
In retail, that means paying close attention to the evolution that is happening around us. Don’t talk about hiring great salespeople; do it. Don’t talk about investing in your teams’ education; do it. Don’t talk about having a compensation plan that rewards the top performers; get it done.
As you think about your product mix, don’t talk about ridding yourself of dated inventory; do it. Don’t talk about narrowing your product choices so that your target customer better understands what you are about; make it happen.
Don’t theorize about replenishing your best-sellers; do it religiously. Don’t just accept that consumers place a lesser value on generic goods; act on that by limiting generics in favor of real brands and relevant private-label storytelling.
Don’t talk about having a coherent and cohesive marketing strategy that merges traditional, digital, social media, website, e-commerce and in-store; make it happen.
And don’t talk about turning your store into a consistently great experience for customers. With great lighting, music, scents and customer-centric events, make it happen.
In “Thinking Fast And Slow,” Nobel Prize-winning behavioral economist Daniel Kahneman wrote: “Optimistic individuals play a disproportionate role in shaping our lives. Their decisions make a difference; they are the inventors. The entrepreneurs, the political and military leaders--not average people. They got to where
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
they are by seeking challenges and taking risks.”
Complaining about things beyond your control while ignoring the many things that you ought to be taking care of is, quite honestly, a smoke screen.
If you were to put together a checklist of the key elements of your respective businesses--the store, personnel, marketing, product, financials and culture--could you honestly say that you are operating at the highest level--not at the level that used to suffice, but at a level that ensures success in today’s retail environment?
We can’t ignore the broader challenges in retail but burying one’s head in the sand is a surefire way to extinction. Concern yourself less with the bear and focus on outrunning the other guy.
Peter Smith is president of Vibhor, a public speaker and author of “Sell Something” and “Hiring Squirrels.” He spent 30 years building sales teams in retail and wholesale and he can be contacted at dublinsmith@yahoo.com, peter@vibhorgems.com, or on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.
Complaining about things beyond your control while ignoring the many things that you ought to be taking care of is, quite honestly, a smoke screen.
If you were to put together a checklist of the key elements of your respective businesses--the store, personnel, marketing, product, financials and culture--could you honestly say that you are operating at the highest level--not at the level that used to suffice, but at a level that ensures success in today’s retail environment?
We can’t ignore the broader challenges in retail but burying one’s head in the sand is a surefire way to extinction. Concern yourself less with the bear and focus on outrunning the other guy.
Peter Smith is president of Vibhor, a public speaker and author of “Sell Something” and “Hiring Squirrels.” He spent 30 years building sales teams in retail and wholesale and he can be contacted at dublinsmith@yahoo.com, peter@vibhorgems.com, or on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
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.
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
