Inside Track
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
June 2021
Happy Fathers' Day from all of us at RJO to you!
In This Issue...
June Newsletter...............................................................................................................................................Page 4 Market Trends...................................................................................................................................................Page 6 Key Performance Indicator & Purchasing Stats................................................................................Page 7 The Edge Retail Academy.....................................................................................................................…...Page 10 The Edge.............................................................................................................................................................Page 11 Lustour................................................................................................................................................................Page 12 Midas....................................................................................................................................................................Page 13 United Precious Metals Refinery............................................................................................................Page 14 ASHI......................................................................................................................................................................Page 15 Star Gems...........................................................................................................................................................Page 16 D'Amico Manufacturing...............................................................................................................................Page 17 Imperial Pearl..........................................................................…......................................................................Page 18 Quality Gold........................................................……..........……..........................................................................Page 19 Lafonn.................................................................................................................................................................Page 20 Artinian Gems.......................................................……........…..........................................................................Page 21 Guild and Facet..................................................................……..........…...........................................................Page 22 Rolf H. Müller....................................................……..........…...…........................................................................Page 23 Kelly Waters.........................................................……..........…..........................................................................Page 24 Color Merchants/ Brevani.............................……..........…..........................................................................Page 25 Samuel Spil............................................................……..........…..........................................................................Page 26 Nice Diamonds.....................................................……..........….........................................................................Page 27 Legend Jewelry..................................................……..........…..........................................................................Page 28 Jewelry Innovations..........................................……..........….........................................................................Page 29 JD & Co A Trung Do Goldsmith Company..……..........….......................................................................Page 30 Mercury Ring..............................................................……..........…...................................................................Page 31 Concepts Marketing..........................................……..........….........................................................................Page 32 Sterling Reputation............................................……..........….........................................................................Page 33 Berco....................................................................................................................................................................Page 34 AVA Couture.....................................................................................................................................................Page 35 Evocateur...........................................................................................................................................................Page 36
JUNE 2021
Newsletter The latest RJO news and announcements
Here is the SCOOP on all things RJO!
IMPORTANT DATES June 10th Payments due in the RJO Office June 18th Member Registration Deadline
Summer is coming in HOT and we are melting with anticipation of all the excitement coming to RJO! Registration for the RJO Summer Buying Show is closing Friday, June 18th, but we encourage you to register EARLY!!! Many of the educational opportunities and social gatherings have limited seating, so you will want to register soon to save a spot for you and your team! We are so excited to "Come Together" with all of you for a live and in-person buying event. Other big news involves the RJO Foundation. The RJO Foundation recently awarded over $10,000 in scholarships to RJO members. This is RJO's largest awarded scholarship season and it wouldn't be possible without all of the generous RJO members who support the RJO Foundation through donations, fundraising campaigns, and the 100+ Club. Thank you!
June 20th Father's Day June 21st First Day of Summer
RJO recently launched their new and innovative platform RJOMeet.Me. This platform brings access to RJO's Vendor Partners right to the tips of your fingers. You can search vendors by product type, communicate with vendors and even request memo items. This streamlined service is free for you to use. You can learn more about this platform on the back of this page. We encourage you to check it out the next time you are looking for a specific product but aren't sure who to contact first! Take a look! As always, be sure you are following along with all of the latest RJO news and information throughout the month. You can find this important information in your email and on our RJO Exclusive Facebook page.
YOUR SUMMER BUYING SHOW CHECKLIST! REGISTER FOR THE SHOW! Registration closes Friday, June 18th Book your hotel rooms in the RJO room block
the r o f r e Regist today! show with please Pretty kles on top! sprin
Phone: 800-247-1774 |
Schedule appointments with your RJO Vendors for the show. Pack your bags- Don't forget your show shirt & RJO apparel. Come Together July 17th-19th for a great time!!!
CONTACT US
E-mail: rjo@rjomembers.com
|
Website: www.rjomembers.com
|
Facebook: RJOExclusive
Meet Our New Platform!
RJOMEET.ME
LOGGING IN IS EASY!
With businesses adapting to new trading conditions, we at RJO know that optimizing the connection Visit RJOMeet.Me and select
between our retailers and vendors continues to be critical to everyone's success, and a core
Retailer.
function of the group. We studied the problems, looked at the opportunities that exist, and set-out to build a system that will bring a new level of capability to all our members. We call it RJO Meet
Click the green box stating
Me.
"New to the System? Register here."
From the outset, we understood the need to have a 24-7/365 platform where vendors can demonstrate their company and offerings to retailers regardless of time, distance and market conditions. We built a system where you can find and browse your RJO vendors. You'll find their
Enter your RJO ID #. Your
marketing materials, general information as well as spotlights on specials, lines, brands and much
RJO ID number can be found
more. It's a little like your favorite social media business page - but more relevant and useful to RJO
on your statement and is
members!
typically three letters and three numbers.
Secondly, we know it is not always easy to find the right company to source your needs. That is why we built our system to work on a specialized "weighted keyword" function, a bit like your favorite
The system will generate a
search engine does. We gave the vendors ways to use these keywords to attract retailer searches, in
password and email your
such a way that demonstrates their best offerings directly relevant to what retailers need. You can
password to the main
now easily find what you need and who can provide it to you. Our system gives every vendor the
address on file for your
same chance to attract retailers, making sure retailers have a choice and vendors can compete.
store. NOTE: This email will be sent within 60 seconds
What happens when you search for something that is not found? "Sorry, zero results" helps nobody.
and will come from
We developed our new system to identify when something is not being found as offered by an RJO
admin@rjomeet.me. Be sure
vendor, and advise all vendor members that there is a "hole in the market", should they be able to fill
to check your spam folder
it. This turns the system into a "learning machine" which will grow over time, powered by what
if you don't receive your
retailers need. Our system is already thousands of keywords strong and is set to grow into an
password.
incredible knowledge base for our retailers and vendors.
Use your RJO ID # and system-generated
Finding companies and services is great, but virtually, how can you "put a loupe" on an item you
password to login. You will
like? We heard you, and understand that this is a fundamental element to your buying. So we
change your password
designed a "Memo/Sample" request system which allows retailers to select and request items from
upon initial login.
participating vendors on memo or as a sample. Try it, then buy it - the same way as you do at a show (kind-of). Again, this is not designed to replace a show, where you can select, compare, network and discuss - but it is designed to overcome an obstacle to online research - which our members asked for.
We took every comment, compliment and criticism following Covid, virtual shows and the last 18 months of challenging trading, and built a system to offer real group-based value to retailers and
We hope you enjoy the system and find it a valuable resource in sourcing all your store's needs!
vendors. Try it and let us know what you think.
Ballots were sent via RJO Eblast system. If you need help finding
One of the things that make RJO unique from other buying groups is we are a member-owned cooperative. As a member-owner of RJO you have a voice in the organization. Currently, there are two opportunities for you to make that voice heard. Historically speaking, these yearly elections have a very low member turnout. Currently, only 6% of our membership has taken the opportunity to vote in this election. We know you are busy, but we hope that as an RJO member, you will take a few minutes of your day and vote on the following ballots:
the links, please email RJO@rjomembers.com
RJO Board of Directors Election: It is time to choose who will fill the two open spots on the RJO Board of Directors. This organization's Board of Directors is comprised of nine RJO members, elected by the general membership, to aid management in decision making, policy review, development and
RJO Vendor of the Year Awards RJO Vendors do so much to make each and every
implementation, strategic planning and maintaining the overall viability of the organization. The elected candidates will serve a three-year term representing the entire membership.
RJO store successful. Which vendor has gone above and beyond for your store this year? Is
The following RJO members are candidates on this year's ballot:
there a sales representative that comes to mind when you think of award-winning customer service and who brings a smile to your face each visit. RJO wants to recognize these companies and
AG Becker (Incumbent) Jeff Wickersham (Incumbent)
individuals who continue to raise the bar to help
Chad Benter
you thrive in today's competitive market.
Linda Brown
Voting is open for the 2021 RJO Vendor of the Year Award. Please check your email and take a
Christine Dahlkemper Mark Loren
moment to complete the quick ballot that will help
Doug Meadows
us narrow down the top vendors in RJO so they
Joe Schiavone
can be celebrated at the next RJO Buying Show. Show your favorite vendors some love in the following categories: Loose, Finished, Watches,
Steve Swan Bill Warren
Service/Specialty and Sales Representative of the Year.
The deadline for nominations is 1pm on Friday, June 4th.
Ballots are open until 5:00pm on Monday, June 7th.