When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
Consumers Prefer Traditional Retail, Make Your Store The One They Choose
The consumer landscape is constantly changing and evolving, and recent events have shifted our attention to strengthening our omnichannel strategies with a focus on digital communications.

Brought To You By Platinum Guild International
The consumer landscape is constantly changing and evolving, and recent events have shifted our attention to strengthening our omnichannel strategies with a focus on digital communications. During a year filled with uncertainty and difficult times, it has been essential to maintain open communication with your consumers to foster existing relationships and cultivate new ones so that they choose your door(s) when it is time to celebrate themselves or loved ones.
Although consumers will complete the information gathering stage of the purchase journey online, they will look in store to talk to an expert, touch and feel the jewelry, and have a live, interactive experience prior to purchasing.
A recent study commissioned by PGI USA revealed that next to speaking with a spouse/partner/fiancé, the in-store experience at a retail jewelry store delivers the most influential touchpoints in the consumer’s decision to buy an engagement ring and/or wedding band.
Beyond the advice and opinion of their loved ones, these were the experiences they found most important and inspiring:
- Talking to retailers before they’re ready to make a purchase (63%)
- Looking at in-store jewelry displays (65%)
- Browsing store window displays (55%)
Consumers will always crave experiences, but it’s time for us to remember that going to a jewelry store is an experience that is essential when it comes to selecting jewelry that symbolizes and celebrates life’s most precious moments.
Topics include: recent consumer research results to better connect with the consumer walking into your store, the history and heritage of platinum, the most important characteristics and benefits of the metal and tips on transforming the customer experience. The goal is to help differentiate you from your competition, deliver better value to your customers and more profit to your bottom line.
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The organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.

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The Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.

The retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.

The price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.

The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.

Sotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.

A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.

From Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.

The show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.

The revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.

The miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.

The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.

This year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.

The author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.

Three-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.

Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.

These up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.























