Watch: Physical Retail Is Not Dead
Peter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
They discussed what the best stores are doing right in terms of the in-store experience, and where struggling retailers are falling short.
They also talked about the importance of using data to run your business, having cohesive branding, and hiring the right people.
Toward the end of the discussion, Smith shared a couple of his favorite retail-centric books and podcasts, including “Remarkable Retail” and “Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon.”
Watch the full episode above or on the National Jeweler YouTube channel.
“My Next Question” will return next month with a recap of the Las Vegas trade shows.
Join Graff and National Jeweler Associate Editor Natalie Francisco, along with Jewelers of America’s Amanda Gizzi and Lauren Dubritz, on June 17 at 2 p.m. EDT for the 2025 “Las Vegas Rewind” episode.
Learn more and register here.
The Latest

Stores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.

The charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.

The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

The watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.


This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.

It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.

Ara Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.

The live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.

Sponsored by Overnight Mountings

The supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.

Blue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.

“Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.

As part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.

Participants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.

The alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.

Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.

In the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.

FGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.

The 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.

It is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.

These jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.

The fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.

The AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.

The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.



















