CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
Events & AwardsMay 29, 2018
BIG Partners to Offer Sales Performance Reporting
Buyer Intelligence Group and Optimum Retail Solutions’ Performance Optimization Program can be previewed at the Las Vegas jewelry trade shows.
Napa, Calif.--Buyers Intelligence Group (BIG) has partnered with Optimum Retail Solutions to launch a product that provides employee performance reporting to the jewelry industry.
BIG works to improve merchandise performance and bottom-line results for retailers and manufacturers via its Balance to Buy inventory analysis tool, while ORS operates a management consulting firm dedicated to executive coaching, leadership development and operational improvement.
Their new service, called the Performance Optimization Program, gives retailers a “dashboard viewpoint” of the sales performance of individual associates.
The program is based on the idea that specific data points, called Key Performance Indicators, can provide insight into which sales behaviors need attention. With that information, owners and supervisors can then prioritize management efforts to more accurately identify what kind of coaching is required to improve performance.
Two tiers of service will be available. The first is a subscription-only format that provides retailers access to the program’s dashboard and includes training on how to interpret team performance.
The second includes a monthly consulting component that provides in-depth coaching to owners and supervisors on sales team and management issues, business planning, event preparation and more.
The Performance Optimization Program will be an add-on service for existing Balance to Buy clients and a stand-alone service for non-Balance to Buy clients. There is a monthly subscription price of $199 associated with it. Permission and confidentiality forms will be a part of the enrollment process.
It can be previewed at this year’s CBG show, held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from May 29 to 31, and at the JCK Las Vegas show (Bayside Lobby L-123), which runs from June 1 to 4 at Mandalay Bay.
To learn more about the program, contact Vince Rath at 801-907-1650, vince@optimumretailsolutions.com, or visit the companies at the Las Vegas jewelry trade shows.
“For us, this project has been years in the making. Our Balance to Buy clients have requested employee reporting for a long time but we needed the right partner to interpret the information and make it useful,” BIG CEO Abe Sherman said.
“When we met the team at ORS, we knew we had something special in common. Their approach to people aligns perfectly with how we manage inventory. It is data-driven, behavior-based and process-focused, which helps simplify the complex sales management process to make it more objective. Since we work with many of the same clients, we saw their results first-hand; virtually every jeweler was seeing tremendous results.”
Vince
Rath, owner and lead consultant for ORS, added, “What’s exciting here is that POP focuses on transactional information which provides insight into an employee’s sales behavior across all types of customers. That way, owners and supervisors can offer targeted coaching that improves results across the board. Our goal is to help retailers analyze data, identify solutions and implement them the way the national companies do.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
