SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
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.
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.
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.”
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