Jewelers' survey provides detailed performance data

For the second year in a row, respondents to a national survey of jewelers reported flat sales overall. However, chain stores and designer/artist/custom stores bucked that trend with sales increases of 6.1% and 9.1% respectively.

The Cost of Doing Business Survey, published by Jewelers of America each fall, offers retail jewelers comprehensive financial information to help them evaluate and compare their stores’ performance to others in the industry. This year’s edition was co-produced with Professional Jeweler magazine in an effort to expand its reach.

The new 2003 edition, with financial data compiled from 2002, is now available. The survey shows JA members are hanging tough, despite the struggling economy.

The Cost of Doing Business Survey looks at many other key performance measures and includes a “how to” section to help readers interpret and use the statistics.

The 2003 survey is available to JA members for $19.99. JA members who contributed to the data by completing questionnaires receive one free copy. To order the survey, call JA at 800.223.0673 or place your order online at www.jewelers.org.