Editors

What an Online Retailer Learns by Going Brick-and-Mortar

EditorsFeb 17, 2016

What an Online Retailer Learns by Going Brick-and-Mortar

Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff sits down with the founder of Stone & Strand to better understand what the e-tailer hopes to gain by opening a physical space.

20160217_Stone-Strand-1.jpg
Online retailer Stone & Strand just opened its first showroom, which is attached to its office space in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood.

I haven’t had the chance yet to ride the Long Island Railroad to Blue Nile’s “webroom” at the Roosevelt Field Mall, but I am curious to learn more about online retailers’ goals in going off-line, so to speak.

So, last evening I hopped on the New York City subway and headed a (very short) distance uptown to sit down with Nadine McCarthy.

Nadine is the founder of Stone & Strand, a jewelry e-tailer that just opened its first physical location, a lovely, very New York City-esque showroom attached to their office in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood.

The company recently relocated its office from SoHo to Tribeca expressly for the purpose of gaining more square footage and opening a store, of sorts.

Here’s why.  

1) They can get to know their customers personally. This is the first, and most obvious, of the objectives but a very important one nonetheless. Who are these people buying jewelry on Stone & Strand? What are their interests and hobbies outside of online jewelry shopping? And, how can this inform what trends will appeal to them and, ultimately, what Stone & Strand should buy to sell to its customers?

As I’ve written on this blog before, the Internet will never become a full substitute for human interaction. People always will desire direct contact with other human beings and, perhaps, will crave it as technology becomes even more pervasive and we spend an increasing amount of time each day staring at a screen of some sort.

That is why we are witnessing this current evolution in retail, this blurring of the lines between online and off, and designer/brand and retailer. “The delineations,” Nadine observed, “are not as clear as they used to be,” and she’s right. 

Brick-and-mortar retailers might bemoan the overhead costs of operating a store, but the face-to-face interaction with customers that it affords them is very important. It’s what online retailers are finding that they are missing by operating a virtual store.

2) They can test out ideas for potential future expansion. Nadine said the company does not have any plans to be a full-fledged brick-and-mortar retailer but, rather, will always just look at physical locations to support their core business, which is selling jewelry online.


 
Another shot inside the Stone & Strand showroom. Nadine said the team purchased the vintage prints in Paris.

Still, opening this current store will tell
them what their customers like, or don’t like, about the space, its layout, its hours, its selection, etc. This could work to inform potential future showrooms in the e-tailer’s key markets.

Right now, customers who come into the showroom can purchase a piece and walk out with it, as along as Stone & Strand has it in stock. But, if they opened more stores, would they all work this way, or would it be a buy-online-only model? Nadine said these are the kind of questions they are hoping this first space will help them answer.

(For everybody reading this article who is wondering about the sales tax impact of this online retailer opening a store, there is none. Stone & Strand already had to collect sales tax here in New York.)

3) They have a space for events that reflects the brand. There’s certainly no dearth of places to throw a great party in New York City but events are, number one, not cheap, and number two, might not exactly reflect one’s brand.

And that’s what Nadine says Stone & Strand likes about having its own space that’s open to the public—it gives them a place to hold events that are decorated exactly like they want it.

The space is on a beautiful cobblestone street in Tribeca and, incidentally, right down the block from both a Shinola store and the Gurhan Atelier. There are vintage fashion prints on the wall and also some modern shots from a well-known fashion photographer with whom Stone & Strand has struck up a partnership. 

It’s not too stuffy or old-school, or too urban and hip. It simply says “Stone & Strand.”
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Saks on Amazon flagship window
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online Storefront

Plus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.

Graphic for My Next Question webinar with guest Peter Smith
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not Dead

Peter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.

Tejen Candy Bowl Torque Necklace
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque Necklace

The necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.

antique_Vegas_2024_by_headshot_stories_9454.jpg
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the Globe

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

1 Camilla Dietz Bergeron.jpg
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show

Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show

Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
The Mediterranean Blue diamond
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’s

A private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.

Jessica McCormack Fruit Salad Campaign Imagery
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for Summer

The designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest Addition

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Stock image of diamonds
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April

The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.

Disability advocate Catarina Rivera, JVC ADA compliance guide, circle of hands wearing jewelry
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With Disabilities

Around 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.

Sekou Andrews
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at Converge

The event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.

Pope Francis
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ Ring

Before Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.

1998 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref.16516 Rolex
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s Sale

The one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.

Jeweler Constance Polamalu at Bloomstone, a store that specializes in lab-grown diamonds
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?

While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.

Surveillance footage Tiffany & Co. Seattle robbery
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies

The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.

Jeff Corey, new chairperson of the board for the Jewelers Board of Trade
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board

The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.

Foundrae Ingot Pendant
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical Metalsmiths

The donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.

Eiseman Jewels ribbon cutting ceremony
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and Better

Located in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.

Diamond Council of America
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course Updates

The nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.

Malyia McNaughton and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education Fund

BIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.

Harwell Godfrey Snake Giza Ring, Foundrae Mind, Body Soul Story Necklace, Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Titan By Pharrell Williams Bracelet
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past Decade

As a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.

Lightbox’s Reminiscence Poet earrings in 14-karat white gold with lab-grown diamonds
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says

The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.

Stock image of shipping containers
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal

Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.

Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum

“Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.

2025 CASE Award Submission Graphic
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025

The deadline to submit is June 16.

Lugano Diamonds store in Greenwich, Connecticut
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal Investigation

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Coeur Percé Scapular Necklace and Love Baby Locket
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s Day

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy