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50 Jewelers/50 States: Alaska
In a new series, National Jeweler is taking the pulse of the nation’s independent jewelers state by state. The second installment features jewelry store Giamante in Anchorage, Alaska.
In a new series, National Jeweler is taking the pulse of the nation’s independent jewelers state by state. Here, we talk with Giamante in Anchorage.
Anchorage, Alaska--Amid the changing and challenging retail environment, the editorial team at National Jeweler wondered how macro trends--from online shopping to serving new generations of shoppers--have affected jewelers in disparate parts of the country.
In order to find out, we decided to launch a new series called 50 Jewelers/50 States, in which we interview one retailer in each of the 50 U.S. states.
The second installment features Giamante jewelry store in Anchorage, Alaska, a fairly new venture from industry veterans and husband-and-wife duo Joseph and Debi Gimeno, who face Alaska’s current economic uncertainties.
National Jeweler: What's the biggest challenge your store is facing?
Joseph Gimeno: It’s very particular to our state. Right now, because of the oil industry leaving Alaska, we are in a major recession and we’re doing OK, but we have to deal with a new economic scenario, which is affecting most businesses and leading to a lot of unemployment.
Oil was a major provider of jobs and money in Alaska. The challenge is adapting to the state’s new economic outlook over the last year and a half.
NJ: What’s the top-selling item or brand at your store?
JG: Definitely engagement rings. For brands, Danhov out of L.A. is one of the top-selling designers that we carry.
NJ: Describe your regional customer.
JG: We try to cater to higher-end customers. We specialize in bridal, so we seek mostly people who are looking to get engaged or married or celebrating anniversaries.
NJ: What’s the most popular style of engagement ring with your clientele now?
JG: Here, we’re definitely still selling a halo with a basic shank, very thin. Minimalist.
NJ: What about diamond shapes?
JG: Round diamonds are definitely the most popular.
NJ: What’s your internet and social media presence like? What accounts do you have or actively use?
JG: We have a well-maintained website, but we don’t sell online. We’re very active on social media and our website is directly connected to all of our social media accounts: Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram. We’re everywhere.
Our main focus online is on acquiring new clientele and keeping our clientele informed of what’s going on here.
NJ:
Of the social media accounts you’re using, which is the most important to you?
JG: I would say Facebook.
NJ: What’s the best piece of advice you’d offer to other independent jewelry stores?
JG: You have to find your niche--how you are different than everybody else--and then do that.
For us, I think the quality of our customer service and the way that we care sets us apart. We genuinely care about our customers, and it shows.
NJ: What’s a fun fact about you we can share with our readers?
Debi Gimeno (in the background): You speak five languages.
JG: That’s not a fun fact … I’ve been a jeweler working in the jewelry industry pretty much nonstop since 1977.
DG: You like to jump off of really high things.
JG: (laughs) That has nothing to do with work, but that is true.
JG: I would say Facebook.
NJ: What’s the best piece of advice you’d offer to other independent jewelry stores?
JG: You have to find your niche--how you are different than everybody else--and then do that.
For us, I think the quality of our customer service and the way that we care sets us apart. We genuinely care about our customers, and it shows.
NJ: What’s a fun fact about you we can share with our readers?
Debi Gimeno (in the background): You speak five languages.
JG: That’s not a fun fact … I’ve been a jeweler working in the jewelry industry pretty much nonstop since 1977.
DG: You like to jump off of really high things.
JG: (laughs) That has nothing to do with work, but that is true.
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