MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
EditorsDec 06, 2013
My love affair with iPad
I was just looking at my credit card accounts online--a dangerous venture at this time of the year--trying to add up just how much I’ve spent shopping on my iPad over the past five months. The answer is quite a bit.
Richelle and Cecilia’s running joke about my relationship with my iPad is both an observation on the rather sad state of my love life and a commentary on the modern-day shopper.
Today, millions of people shop from their mobile devices. This “Cyber Monday,” mobile purchases were up 55 percent year-over-year and totaled nearly 20 percent of all online traffic that day, according to data from IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark.
While smartphones drove more traffic than tablets--about 20 percent of all online traffic vs. 12 percent--tablets accounted for 12 percent of all online sales, double that of smartphones at 6 percent.
For me, the No. 1 advantage of the iPad is its size. It’s not as bulky as a laptop, but bigger than a smartphone. You can curl up in bed with it on a rainy Saturday morning, Earl Grey tea in hand (if you’re so inclined) and order away.
The images on the iPad are stunning, provided the retailer takes the time to ensure their site a) has good images and b) will work on a mobile device. While there was a time when retailers were busy building mobile versions of their full-sized websites, the trend now is to have a responsive site, meaning a site that automatically adjusts to whatever device it is being viewed on, whether it’s a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. The new National Jeweler was built this way.
For anybody interested in doing some mobile-shopping reconnaissance, I think Nine West and Anthropologie both provide an excellent mobile experience.
Now, I know there is an ongoing debate in the jewelry industry about selling online: should retailers, or shouldn’t they? In the end, don’t people want to come in to see/touch/feel jewelry?
Personally, I don’t have a strong opinion either way on this debate. There are too many stores and they are too different to tell Jeweler A in Alabama that they should run their business the same as Jeweler B in New York or Jeweler C in South Dakota.
However, you do have to have a presentable online presence. Your website should
have images that display properly on a smartphone or tablet computer. This is easy enough to check yourself. If it doesn’t, fix it or get someone to fix it for you.
Even if you don’t sell online, being present in the mobile space will attract cross-shoppers: People who looked online, liked what they saw and are coming in to buy it. I do enjoy ordering bedside while I sip my tea, but that doesn’t mean I’ve completely abandoned in-store shopping. I go into stores to physically check out merchandise I like, see what else they have and how they have things paired.
Now, if you’ll excuse me I need to finish the rest of my work so I can clock out for the day and head home. My iPad misses me.
Even if you don’t sell online, being present in the mobile space will attract cross-shoppers: People who looked online, liked what they saw and are coming in to buy it. I do enjoy ordering bedside while I sip my tea, but that doesn’t mean I’ve completely abandoned in-store shopping. I go into stores to physically check out merchandise I like, see what else they have and how they have things paired.
Now, if you’ll excuse me I need to finish the rest of my work so I can clock out for the day and head home. My iPad misses me.
More on Editors
The Latest
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
Weekly QuizDec 23, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsDec 30, 2025
Becka Johnson Kibby to Lead Edge Retail AcademyAs part of the leadership transition, Sherry Smith will take on the role of vice president of coaching strategy and development.
SourcingDec 30, 2025
India Chosen as KP Chair for 2026It marks the third time the country has headed the Kimberley Process. Ghana will serve as vice chair.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
WatchesDec 30, 2025
Bulova, Stetson Collab on Watches With Western FlairThe new Bulova x Stetson designs highlight two animals often associated with the American West—the bison and the Texas Longhorn.
CollectionsDec 30, 2025
Rahaminov Diamonds Pops Up in FloridaIts residency at Yamron Jewelers will run through May 2026.
IndependentsDec 29, 2025
In Memoriam: Industry Friends We Lost in 2025From influential executives to innovative designers, we pay tribute to the people we said goodbye to this year.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Tanishq Opens New Stores in Florida, VirginiaThe retailer is expanding into areas with large Indian and South Asian populations.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Nanis Opens First Flagship Store The Italian brand has opened its first flagship amid the peaks of the Dolomites in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
SourcingDec 29, 2025
‘Unearthed: Raw Beauty’ Exhibition Opens at LA MuseumThe new curation at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County showcases rare gem and mineral specimens in their uncut, natural state.
CrimeDec 24, 2025
LA Jewelry District Couple Pleads Guilty to Hiding Millions from IRSThe couple pleaded guilty to concealing at least $127 million in cash transactions at its precious metals businesses.
SurveysDec 24, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls Again in DecemberConsumers shared concerns about prices, inflation, tariffs, trade, and politics in the survey’s write-in response section.
AuctionsDec 24, 2025
Bonhams to Open New U.S. Flagship in NYCIn February 2026, the auction house will move its headquarters to the former Steinway Hall, a neoclassical landmark on Billionaires’ Row.
Events & AwardsDec 24, 2025
NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Announces Winter EventThe new show will take place Jan. 23-25, 2026.
SourcingDec 23, 2025
Mining Titan Brian Gilbertson Dies at 82The former BHP Billiton leader and Gemfields chairman is remembered for his influential leadership throughout his 50-year mining career.
Events & AwardsDec 23, 2025
Bulgari Reimagines Costume Designers Guild AwardThe LVMH-owned brand has partnered with the costume design union to revamp its award for 2026.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
Kering to Acquire Stake in Raselli Franco GroupThe luxury titan inked a deal to acquire an initial minority stake in the jewelry manufacturer with a pathway to full ownership by 2032.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
For Future Reference Vintage Enters Bloomingdale’sThe company’s curation of unsigned vintage and estate jewelry debuted at the Bloomingdale’s in Costa Mesa, California.
CrimeDec 22, 2025
Customs Seizes Hundreds of Fake Rolex, Cartier WatchesIn the recent multi-shipment seizure, CBP also found counterfeit Audemars Piguet, Moncler, and Chrome Hearts items.
Recorded WebinarsDec 22, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: Looking Back on an Eventful Year Jewelers of America execs and National Jeweler editors discuss tariffs, the sky-high gold price, and the engagement that broke the internet.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
