Hey there, fellow jewelry enthusiasts! Ever wondered what it's like to be at the biggest luxury market show on the planet? Well, let me take you behind the scenes through the eyes of a retail business owner!
Am I excited, heck’s YES I am!
Am I stressed, probably just as much if not more!
Shopping for all of you at these shows is an absolute blast. I mean, who can resist picking up a little something for themselves, right? But it's a bit of a balancing act. I want to bring in those wild and unique pieces, but I also need to think about what will fly off the shelves and what might hang around a bit longer than anticipated.
And let's not forget about the logistics! My cases are already bursting at the seams, so how do I make room for these new treasures? Do I need to shuffle things around? Do people still have a thing for timepieces? As my manager Kalie likes to say, "We're gonna need a bigger boat!"
But hey, these are just some of the conversations swirling around in my head as I prep for the show. Then there's the strategic planning – which designs do I need to get my hands on before Christmas, and which can wait? Is Gillette ready for the latest fashion trends, or are we a couple of years behind the curve? Come on, folks, let's keep up!
With over vendors spread across two levels at the Venetian, and just four days to shop them all, you can imagine the whirlwind of activity. We're scheduling appointments left and right, but squeezing in some time to explore new designers is always a challenge. And let me tell you, the miles we put on our feet? Insane doesn't even begin to cover it!
But it's all worth it when we get to meet the designers themselves, see their latest creations, and bring back that inspiration to share with all of you. Oh, and did I mention equipment shopping? Get ready, because we're bringing back something pretty cool – a lab diamond tester, the first of its kind in Gillette! Stay tuned for more details on that.
As we move forward, our focus at EK is to shine a spotlight on a select group of designers that we absolutely adore. Instead of spreading ourselves too thin, we want to really showcase their talent and craftsmanship. Who knows, maybe we'll even host a special show just for them at the store – if only there were more hours in the day!
So here I am, on my final plane ride home from the event, buzzing with excitement to reunite with my little Ruby Kay and share with you all the fabulous new finds that are headed to Gillette. Stay tuned, because big things are on the horizon! 🛍️✨