Samuel B. and Shefi Join the Plumb Club

The Plumb Club has added two new members: Samuel B. and Shefi.

These two companies will complement the association’s 42 existing members, representing more than 100 leading brands who exhibit in the Plumb Club Pavilion at the JCK Las Vegas show.

Michael Lerche, president of the Plumb Club, said in a statement, “We are happy to welcome Samuel B. and Shefi into the organization. Both companies underwent a rigorous vetting process, and we definitely feel that we’ve made two great choices.”

Companies applying for membership in the Plumb Club must have maintained U.S.-based offices for a minimum of five years and agree to adhere to the organization’s Code of Responsibility, which each member signs annually. Members must also meet stringent requirements on business ethics, practices, and conduct, as well as human rights, social and environmental responsibility, and be in compliance with local, federal, and international laws. As of 2019, each member must apply within 90 days of acceptance to become certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council.

“We’ve had two major happenings this year,” said Sanjay Hirawat, president of Shefi. “We are celebrating 45 years of business, and now we are a member of the Plumb Club. We are honored to become part of this respected group and excited to greet our retailers in our new home at JCK in the Plumb Club Pavilion.”

Samuel B. has been serving the jewelry industry for more than 35 years with offices in New York and in Bali. The jeweler is best known for its artisan-crafted sterling silver pieces from Bali.

“We are thrilled to be joining an organization of the most prestigious fine jewelry manufacturers in the world,” said Mathew Behnam, vice president of Samuel B. “The Plumb Club is synonymous with leadership and integrity, and we feel our membership reinforces Samuel B.’s position as an industry leader.”

 

Atlanta Jewelry Show to Deliver the SoHo Experience

As the Southern Jewelry Travelers Association—producers of the Atlanta Jewelry Show—celebrates its 70th anniversary, the March 2020 edition of AJS will mark the occasion with the introduction of the all-new SoHo Experience.

The customer journey as seen from a retail perspective serves as the inspiration for this new feature of the show, which focuses on a return to customer service. An enticing product selection is only part of what makes a retail store great, and the interactive elements in the SoHo Experience are designed to inspire all-encompassing store experiences.

“This event marks a shift in the traditional trade show format,” said executive director Libby Brown in a statement. “It is the goal of our team to provide our buyers with a live guide to retailing. We plan to accomplish this by offering products and resources that independent jewelers may implement in their stores through real experiences. It’s important to feature the best product mix with exceptional vendors, and it is equally important to empower the retailer with the proper tools to effectively market and sell those products to their customers.”

A group of industry experts dubbed the “SoHo Pros” will be responsible for developing experiences in the following categories: store design, retailing, bench/repair, custom design, marketing, digital solutions, sales, and community; each experience is located throughout the show floor. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with each of these members—Mark Smelzer, publisher of JCK magazine; Andrea Hill of Hill Management Group; Charles Lewton-Brain of Brain Press; Joel McFadden of Joel McFadden Designs; Rémy Rotenier of the eponymous jewelry brand; and Bill Warren, owner of The Gold Mine—in addition to a traditional seminar format.

AJS will offer a series of interactive elements, ranging from a working bench area to a podcast studio sponsored by InStore magazine, a CAD/CAM challenge, gift-wrap battle, and an ear-piercing party. Its SoHo Store, an open concept prototype of an actual retail store, will showcase products in addition to offering tips and tricks on how to operate the best jewelry store possible.

In addition to a roster of new and well-known brands to the show, Kids Jewelry Camp will return for yet another year, sponsored by Rembrandt Charms. For more information on AJS, which takes place March 7–9, visit atlantajewelryshow.com.

 

(Image courtesy of the Plumb Club)

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