Other

8 New Year’s resolutions from retailers

OtherJan 04, 2015

8 New Year’s resolutions from retailers

At a time when many people are focusing on their health and happiness for the next year, jewelers across the country share with National Jeweler what goals they’ve set for 2015. 

New York--With the New Year comes the opportunity to set and, hopefully, achieve new goals, both personally and professionally. 

National Jeweler asked retailers across the country what resolutions they had set for either themselves or their stores in 2015. 

Here’s what they had to say.

Jake Spigelman
Jay Roberts Jewelers, Marlton, N.J.

Spigelman has both a resolution and a goal for 2015.

The resolution: Engage in e-commerce by selling the brands he can online. “That’s certainly a direction our business is headed in. (But) right now, I don’t do it at all.” 

The goal is to have a better year, aided by Mother Nature. “This year, we were hampered by the weather the first four months of the year,” said Spigelman, whose shop is located outside of Philadelphia. “We seemed to have a snowstorm every single week.”  

Daniel Niebauer, vice president of operations
Ralph Miller Jewelers & Gallery, Erie, Pa.

Keep cranking on custom. The store has five jewelers on staff and has had much success manufacturing a line of jewelry under its own brand.

Niebauer said they plan to continue to do so in 2015, pushing into more galleries and other local shops to increases sales. 

The store stands by its values of quality, craftsmanship and integrity. “That’s who we are, and we have great staff. That’s the key to success, great staff.”

Bill Longnecker
Longnecker Jewelry, McCook, Neb.

When asked about his New Year’s resolution, the Nebraska retailer offered a personal goal.

“I think my resolution is to finish my apartment remodeling project,” he said, noting that it’s been eight years in the making. “That’s my resolution, to finish my apartment.”

Jim Alperin
James Alperin Jewelers, Pepper Pike, Ohio

This suburban Cleveland retailer has a very honest take on this tradition of making promises that usually center on gym memberships or new savings accounts but fizzle by February. 

“I didn’t make one,” he said. “I hate breaking them.”

Debbie Fox
Fox Fine Jewelers, Ventura, Calif.

When asked what her New Year’s resolution was, Fox noted that hers was probably different from most.

“My resolution is not to work so hard, but that is because I just came off of a year of gutting and restoration of a building, expanding our staff and moving our store.”

Stephanie Weber
Weber Jewelers, Kettering, Ohio

Weber said that the store has been focused on honoring who they

are and not trying to be something that they’re not, and that’s a goal that they’re going to continue to work on in 2015.

Weber Jewelers is focusing on its past and what has set the store apart from the competition so far, and will go from there to help for the future. For example, they’ve always been strong in opals, which Weber thinks not many jewelers offer.

For the store, this also means working on education for store employees to explore this area and keep them competitive.

“It’s hard to imitate other people if that’s not who you are,” Weber said. “You can get ideas. But for the last few years, we’ve been going with what we’re strong in, and that’s what we’ll focus on this year, too.”

Susan Eisen
Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry & Watches, El Paso, Texas

For Eisen, 2015 will be all about change. Her New Year’s resolution for the store is to look closely at how things can be improved at the store.

This means not only the physical environment of the store, but the job descriptions and how they can incorporate more technology to improve efficiency. In consolidating the roles of the staff, Eisen is hoping that they will be able to give more quality time to the tasks that will build the business.

Kelly Newton
Newton’s Jewelers, Fort Smith, Ark.

Newton’s resolution for the store in 2015 is similar to Eisen’s--to find a way to be more efficient.

“As a store with a 100-year history, this is one area that we’ve really got to work on,” he said.

Newton particularly wants to work on the store’s buying: on being smarter when it comes to what and how much inventory the store buys.

Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

Jewelry display
CrimeSep 24, 2026
From Conclave: Security Measures Jewelers Should Be Taking

JSA and Jewelers Mutual shared advice on spotting suspicious behavior, combatting cell phone jammers, and staying safe at home.

Header - One platform_ total protection_ seamless shipping (1).png
Supplier BulletinSep 24, 2026
Ship with Confidence with JM Shipping Solution

Sponsored by JM Shipping

8.03 carat natural fancy light blue diamond
AuctionsSep 24, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Heads to UK Jewelry Auction

The fancy light blue diamond is estimated to fetch up to $2.6 million at Elmwood’s next week.

1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional Edition

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry by Amy Azzarito
TrendsSep 24, 2026
This New Jewelry Book Decodes the Secret Meaning in Victorian Jewelry

“Secret Language of Victorian Jewelry” unveils the meaning behind the symbols, motifs, and gemstones used in Victorian-era jewelry.

Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Lab-grown diamond tennis bracelets and rings from Kira Jewels
Lab-GrownSep 24, 2026
Kira Jewels Opens B2B E-Commerce Portal for Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry

KIRAJewels.one gives retailers access to more than 500 SKUs of lab-grown diamond rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

Dana Rebecca Designs Tennis Bracelets Campaign Imagery
TrendsSep 23, 2026
Holiday Diamond Jewelry Trends: Layered Looks, Personalization

This holiday season, look to pieces that will help to fill out customers’ everyday diamond jewelry wardrobe, experts say.

Cover.jpg
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk About

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The logo for The Diamond Collective, the new name for the Natural Diamond Council
SourcingSep 23, 2026
Organization That Promotes Natural Diamond Rebrands for Third Time

The Natural Diamond Council is now The Diamond Collective and has announced a new strategy under CEO Amber Pepper.

Paul’s Jewelers 7Cs Cafe
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
This Milwaukee-Area Jeweler Is Serving the 7Cs

Paul’s Jewelers sells coffee, chocolate, and cookies from a custom gold-wrapped trailer parked outside the store starting at 7 a.m.

Kay Love All In campaign
MajorsSep 23, 2026
Kay Jewelers’ New Campaign Goes ‘All In’ on Love

Part of its brand relaunch, the marketing around the campaign includes a contest involving a jacket set with 550 diamonds.

Jean Schlumberger’s Hedges and Flowers Necklace
Events & AwardsSep 23, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Exhibition Opening at Arkansas Museum

The curation, opening soon at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, honors the jeweler’s heritage through a distinctly American lens.

Pandora x Pat McGrath campaign image
CollectionsSep 23, 2026
Pucker Up for Pandora’s New Pat McGrath Jewelry Collab

The jewelry giant has partnered with the famed makeup artist to create a colorful new collection of charms and rings.

Texas Jewelers Association
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Texas Jewelers Association to Celebrate 120th Anniversary

The association will mark the milestone at its convention next month.

Sissy’s Log Cabin Back to School and Bling 2026
IndependentsSep 23, 2026
Sissy’s Log Cabin’s ‘Back to School and Bling’ Event Returns

The jeweler donated school supplies to Memphis, Tennessee, students during the event combining basketball and mentorship.

Pandora and Foundrae medallions
MajorsSep 22, 2026
Foundrae’s Lawsuit Against Pandora Can Continue, Court Rules

A federal judge denied Pandora’s motion to dismiss Foundrae’s claim for copyright infringement of its medallions.

The Retail Smiths Peter Smith
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional Selling

People aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.

Constance Polamalu
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' List

The Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.

Photo collage of new GCAL by Sarine lab in Mumbai
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in Mumbai

The facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.

NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Autumn Edition Imagery
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn Edition

The four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

Cartier Cheich watch in white gold
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M

Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.

Pamela Bernstein-Gulla and Elle Hill at the Wynn Las Vegas
MajorsSep 21, 2026
Longtime Industry Executive Pamela Bernstein-Gulla to Retire

Bernstein-Gulla has been working in the jewelry industry for 40 years, most recently as chief engagement officer for Hill & Co.

Bhindi Jewelers Glendale Store Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California Store

The relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.

Unheated Paraiba
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s

The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.

Photo from 2026 Jewelers of America Fly-In
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In

Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.

Nanis Sway Earrings
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror

Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.

De Beers Group’s SynthDetect 2 diamond screening instrument
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine

SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.

×

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