PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
EditorsApr 17, 2014
How CitySports is creating an experience
I ran a half-marathon Sunday and I did OK, considering the confluence of severe snowstorms and the flu that deterred my training.
After holding the device in my hand for most of my training, I reached two conclusions: a) I don’t want to carry this thing for 13.1 miles, and; b) I need to quit being cheap and just go ahead spend the $30 to get an armband like I had for my old, trusty iPod before I got caught outside in the rain and the screen went black on me.
Like so many consumers today, I started my search online. I Googled “armband for iphone 5,” scanned past the sponsored ad by Amazon.com, skipped over the organic results for the Apple store and Amazon.com (again; this is why it’s a billion-dollar business) and then was drawn into this article from Mashable on the “10 Best iPhone Armbands.”
After scanning through all 10 I settled on the Sporteer Armband because it has a pocket in the back for cards and I needed somewhere to stash my MetroCard and a little cash while I ran.
Normally, I would have just ordered the Sporteer on Amazon, my go-to, because they have everything, they let you return anything and it arrives quickly. But I was up against a tight timeline with the race approaching so I opted to--gasp--buy something in a store.
But where would I go? What store in New York would carry such a thing? Buying in a brick-and-mortar store can be a perplexing proposition when you don’t do it very often, and so I relied on my friend Google’s help again, and the search engine guided me to CitySports, which is right around the corner from my office (who knew?).
This particular CitySports store is located in a cavernous space on Broadway in Lower Manhattan. It’s a really beautiful older building but the store was, sadly, fairly empty.
I immediately located the aforementioned armbands and engaged a saleswoman, who was very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, in a discussion on what she thought was the best armband, mentioning the Mashable article and the online advice I had received in the process.
We chatted as I was checking out and I told her why I was buying the band, for my upcoming half. After wishing me luck, she let me know about a running club CitySports hosts.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Created, obviously, for runners, the group meets every Tuesday night and does relatively short runs around the Lower Manhattan waterfront. From time to time, she says, vendors come and ask you to try out products, and the store gives you $1 in CitySports credit for every mile you run with the group.
What a great way to get people engaged and shopping in your store in an era when they don’t really need to; anything that you see in a CitySports store easily can be purchased online. And, if most runners are like me, they have a favorite brand of shoe and know their size. When it comes time to reorder, they simply plug the brand and style name in online, choose a new color and click.
I didn’t get to try out the running group this week because it was raining, but I definitely plan to attend the next Tuesday night I am free.
Unfortunately, I don’t think my new Sporteer armband will be logging too many more miles with me. Though it was marked small/medium, it must be made for men because it’s too big for my arm.
I don’t know if CitySports will allow me to return the armband, considering it’s more than slightly used at this point. But you know what? I think that seems fair and it certainly won’t put me off the retailer. I am excited about joining the store’s running club, potentially meeting new people (meaning single men) and using my CitySports cash to purchase my next pair of shoes--right there in the store.
What a great way to get people engaged and shopping in your store in an era when they don’t really need to; anything that you see in a CitySports store easily can be purchased online. And, if most runners are like me, they have a favorite brand of shoe and know their size. When it comes time to reorder, they simply plug the brand and style name in online, choose a new color and click.
I didn’t get to try out the running group this week because it was raining, but I definitely plan to attend the next Tuesday night I am free.
Unfortunately, I don’t think my new Sporteer armband will be logging too many more miles with me. Though it was marked small/medium, it must be made for men because it’s too big for my arm.
I don’t know if CitySports will allow me to return the armband, considering it’s more than slightly used at this point. But you know what? I think that seems fair and it certainly won’t put me off the retailer. I am excited about joining the store’s running club, potentially meeting new people (meaning single men) and using my CitySports cash to purchase my next pair of shoes--right there in the store.
More on Editors
The Latest
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
Weekly QuizJun 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
Policies & IssuesJun 17, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Names New Executive DirectorMarianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesIts app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
IndependentsJun 15, 2026
DeBoulle Diamond & Jewelry to Renovate Dallas FlagshipThe revamped, elevated space will feature a two-story Patek Philippe atelier and a rooftop patio for parties.
WatchesJun 15, 2026
G-Shock, Coca-Cola Partner on Bottle-Inspired WatchThe special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.
TrendsJun 15, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Tiny Charms Are TrendingHere are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.
AuctionsJun 12, 2026
16th-Century ‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Going Up for Auction in LondonFound by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
AuctionsJun 10, 2026
31.62-Carat ‘Azure Blue’ Diamond Sells For $8M+ at Christie’sIt was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.
MajorsJun 10, 2026
Saks Global Receives Bankruptcy Court Approval for ReorganizationThe approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.
CrimeJun 10, 2026
2 Suspects Arrested in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyThe men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.
CollectionsJun 10, 2026
Sylvie Debuts ‘Elevated’ Bridal Collection Inspired By Designer’s RingThe bridal-focused brand is also launching its Custom Atelier this summer, a digital custom design tool for its authorized retailers.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse RetiresThe industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
