Independents

Edge Retail Academy Creates William Wagner Award

IndependentsJun 18, 2019

Edge Retail Academy Creates William Wagner Award

Named in honor of the late adviser, the award is to be given annually to a jewelry store.

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Roman Jewelers mother-daughter duo Sophie Shor (left) and Lucy Zimmerman are the recipients of the first William “Wag” Wagner Business Excellence Award from Edge Retail Academy.

New York—Edge Retail Academy (ERA) has given out its first William “Wag” Wagner Business Excellence Award.

Created to honor the ERA advisor who died last year (pictured inset), the award and $1,000 prize is intended to recognize one stellar jewelry business annually.


In a press release, ERA President David Brown explained: “The award has two goals: to acknowledge business excellence from independent retailers and to honor the memory of long-serving ERA advisor William ‘Wag’ Wagner whose service, loyalty and advice went well beyond the expectations of our clients, his work colleagues and our company.”

This month, ERA gave Sophie Shor and Lucy Zimmerman of Roman Jewelers the inaugural William Wagner Business Excellence Award.

Located in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, the family-owned business has spanned four generations, ERA said, with its current business existing for more than 30 years and boasting a special penchant for custom design work.

Roman Jewelers has used ERA services for two years.

“Sophie and Lucy were very open-minded to implement industry best practices,” said ERA Director of Business Development Sherry Smith. “They focused extensively on improving the margins of their sales team through a new compensation plan.”

ERA said the plan increased Roman Jewelers’ gross profit 16 percent.

Shor said, “My daughter Lucy and I never would have believed we were capable of accomplishing our margin goals without the guidance of Sherry and the Edge Retail Academy. They have made a measurable impact to our business.”

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

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