EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TechnologyAug 10, 2016
Study: Retailers’ omnichannel strategies lag
E-commerce sales growth at The Home Depot, Costco, Macy’s and Walmart surpassed the growth rate at Amazon.com in the first quarter due to continued investment in omnichannel retail, showing the importance of brick-and-mortar retailers streamlining sales across all channels, a recent report by think tank L2 shows.
New York--E-commerce sales growth at The Home Depot, Costco, Macy’s and Walmart surpassed the growth rate at Amazon.com in the first quarter due to continued investment in omnichannel retail, showing the importance of brick-and-mortar retailers streamlining sales across all channels, a recent report by think tank L2 shows.
For its 2014 Omnichannel Retail study, L2 tracked 100 retailers, including jewelry and watch brands Alex and Ani, Cartier, Fossil, Montblanc, Swarovski, Swatch, TAG Heuer, Tiffany & Co. and Tourneau as well as majors like Saks, Macy’s, Target and Walmart.
Omnichannel retailing refers to providing a seamless approach for consumers across all available shopping platforms--including mobile, digital, and brick-and-mortar, among others--that allows customers to use more than one sales channel from a retailers for any transaction.
The study found that omnichannel leadership comes from the “big box” players, such as Target, Walgreens, Walmart, Best Buy, and more, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise as they have faced the biggest threat from pure-play Internet retailers such as Amazon.
Despite the success that these major players have had integrating sales across all channels, most retailers remain stalled in this area, according to L2.
Of the 71 brands that were benchmarked in L2’s 2013 and 2014 studies, only six launched inventory visibility across their online channel (meaning the ability for consumers to see if a product online is also in stock at their local store), and an additional six brands rolled out in-store pick up for online purchases.
Of the 13 luxury brands included in the study, only one (Gucci) had added inventory visibility to their websites.
All of this comes despite the fact that 44 percent of luxury goods sales are online influenced, meaning jewelers are missing out on a sales opportunity.
The percentage of in-store sales that are being influenced by digital across all categories has more than doubled year-over-year, and the influence of mobile on in-store purchases increased by nearly four times from 2012 to 2013, now accounting for half of digitally influenced sales.
According the L2, the trend of “showrooming,” where consumers browse for products in the store, and then buy online for a better price, now has reversed itself. Data now suggests that shoppers are now more prone to “webrooming,” where they research online or via mobile before buying from a brick-and-mortar store.
When it comes to building their omnichannel strategy, many retailers said
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
that their biggest obstacle are “limits to their company business model.” Challenges that retailers reported include limitations from the lack of store associate training, difficulty with integrating back-end technology across all channels, and a lack of digital commerce technology, among other things.
L2 suggests that management teams that try to address challenges to growth in the omnichannel business with a single senior hire risk losing to companies that are finding ways to blend their e-commerce and in-store teams. It’s important for businesses to train their brick-and-mortar associates, who play a critical role in the execution of the omnichannel goals such as keeping track of in-store inventory.
To build or create a strong omnichannel presence, L2 noted that the following features and capabilities be included: in-store pickup for a web purchase, real-time in-store inventory that is accurate, enabling product filtering and store locator, personalizing store promotions and booking appointments, shopper wish lists, allowing for pre-orders, and offering exclusives, free shipping and expedited delivery.
More on Technology
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
