Articles and News

Aida Alvarez Moves to C.D. Peacock

Chicago, IL—C.D.Peacock, announces the appointment of Aida Alvarez, left, as senior vice president of merchandising and marketing for the 175-year-old luxury jeweler.

Alvarez began her jewelry industry career in 1982 with former catalog showroom L. Luria & Sons. From there, she went on to Zales Corporation in the Diamond Park division, where she oversaw store jewelry operations for multiple locations of Burdines in Miami, FL. But her longest tenure—23 years—has been with Mayors Jewelers, which she joined in 1989 in customer service, then moving to watch buyer, and ultimately being promoted to senior vice president of merchandising and marketing.

C.D.Peacock’s owner Seymour Holtzman says Alvarez is “part of our strategy to grow C.D.Peacock for another 175 successful years!”

In the industry, Alvarez was recently selected to join the exclusive Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, is an advisory board member for the JCK Luxury show, and was the 2012 winner of the WJA Award for Excellence in the category of Retail, 15 or More Stores.

Says Alvarez, “I’m thrilled to bring my industry expertise to Chicago’s oldest operating business, C.D. Peacock.”

Emily Armenta Wins Entrepreneurial Women Award

Houston, TX—Designer Emily Armenta, president and CEO of the Armenta Collection, was named one of Ernst & Young LLP’s 2012 Entrepreneurial Winning Women. She is one of 11 exceptional women entrepreneurs recognized throughout the country with this prestigious award.

Now in its fifth year, the Entrepreneurial Winning Women program is a national competition and executive leadership program that identifies a select group of high-potential women entrepreneurs whose businesses show real potential to scale — and then helps them do it.

The program has spurred dramatic growth. According to a recent independent impact assessment directed by the Babson College Center for Women's Leadership, revenues of program participants' companies have grown almost 50% each year on average, with a corresponding 25% average annual growth in the number of jobs.

“I’m so honored to be a part of the E&Y Winning Women program this year. I have met so many amazing people and am excited of the opportunities to come,” says Armenta.

The winners represent a wide variety of industries. They were selected from a highly competitive pool of women entrepreneurs across the United States, by a distinguished panel of independent judges, including:

• Howard Brodsky, chairman and CEO, CCA Global Partners
• Cynthia Cohen, CEO, Strategic Mindshare
• Laurie Cunnington, president, Ward Williston Oil Company
• Dr. Mary Jo Gorman, CEO, Advanced ICU Care and a 2011 Entrepreneurial Winning Woman
• Jeri Harman, managing partner, Avante Mezzanine Partners
• Rob Scott, vice president and worldwide general manager, Hewlett Packard
• Mary Ellen Sheets, founder, Two Men And A Truck

“Over the past five years, the Entrepreneurial Winning Women program has grown into a highly competitive platform to help women entrepreneurs think bigger and scale their companies to new heights,” said Kerrie MacPherson, partner and Entrepreneurial Winning Women executive sponsor at Ernst & Young. “Emily is an exceptional business leader with extraordinary potential, and we are pleased to honor her as one of this year’s winners.”

Women entrepreneurs are among the brightest spots in the American economy. Nearly half of all privately held companies in the country are now at least half-owned by women. The Entrepreneurial Winning Women program aims to increase the number of leading women-owned companies by providing key resources and supporting their business growth. 

The 11 winners of 2012 will receive complimentary participation in this year’s Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum. The Forum brings together more than 2,000 of the nation's most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders to share growth strategies.

Separately, Armenta jewelry has expanded to the United Kingdom with a fall launch at famed London department store Harrods. Says Armenta, “Harrods is one of the top retailers in the world and it has always been a dream of mine to be carried there. We are excited to showcase our collections to a new audience and to continue to expand our presence in the U.K.”  

Stuller Announces Eight Store Profitability Conference Dates in 2013
Lafayette, LA—Now starting its third season, Stuller’s annual “Bridge” conference program provides attendees with profitable solutions for the changing retail landscape.

Bridge mixes educational seminars and group dialogue over a range of topics including customer and peer-to-peer networking, the latest in innovation, and strategies for successful business. Expanding over the last three years, the conference has helped jewelry retailers identify potential problem areas within their stores, and proactively develop effective solutions. Three main themes—customization, in-store experience, and retail challenges and opportunities—are set to be topics in the coming year.

“I feel like I am now fortified with tools to grow my business,” says Steve Whitworth from Whitworth’s Gift Chest Jewelers in Poplar Bluff, MO. “I couldn’t help but give [the event] the highest marks in all categories!”

“Bridge is so much more than the conventional conference. We address the industry from a holistic point-of-view covering topics like technology, tools and merchandising,” says Ken Dugas, Stuller’s executive director of interactive customer events. “Add low-risk, profitable results with some Southern hospitality and Cajun cuisine and now you’ve got something powerful and fun.”

There will be eight Bridge events in 2013. Dates are: April 7-9, May 20-22, June 17-19 and 23-25, August 4-6, September 22-24, September 29-October 1, and October 7-9.

For more information and to request an invitation, visit Stuller.com/Bridge or call (866) 751-5692.