Articles and News
Brand News: Simon G. Hosts Star-Studded Show; Ritani’s New RFID System; TracTech Wins In Vegas; More June 04, 2014 (0 comments)
Simon G. Hosts Star-Studded Night In Vegas And Celebrity Guests At Show
Las Vegas, NV—Simon G. Jewelry hosted its annual Simon G. Soiree at the Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday, May 31. Celebrity attendees included Jaime King (left), Chris Noth, Cheryl Burke, Mark Ballas, Brittny and Lisa Gastineau, Melissa Rycroft and Tye Strickland, Heather McDonald, and Gilles Marini, all decked out in Simon G. Jewelry, while mingling with the crowd.
The night of festivities kicked off with comedian host Heather McDonald, wearing a David's Bridal dress and Simon G. jewelry. She roused the crowd with hilarious impressions and sketches from her new show, Lipshtick, debuting at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas on Friday, July 18. Later, the crowd was treated to a special performance by singer Michael McDonald, while perusing a poolside showcase of Simon G.'s latest pieces.
Dancing With The Stars co-stars Cheryl Burke and Mark Ballas danced up a storm to the tunes of Michael McDonald classics like "What a Fool Believes" and "Minute by Minute.” Burke wore a David's Bridal black peplum dress and Simon G. Jewels.
Left, Lisa and Brittney Gastineau and Melissa Rycroft; right, Mark Ballas and Cheryl Burke at the Simon G. soiree.
New parents Melissa Rycroft and Tye Strickand enjoyed a night out while gushing about their children, including one-month-old Thomas. Earlier in the day, actor Chris Noth—renowned for his roles as Mr. Big in Sex And The City, and Detective Mike Logan on Law & Order—caused a stir on the JCK Luxury show floor as women of all ages lined up for a photo-op with him at the Simon G. booth.
Left to right: Chris Noth, Simon G., Gilles Marini. All Simon G. photos: Al Powers Imagery
Ritani Debuts RFID System As Next Steps For Clicks And Bricks
Las Vegas, NV—Customers who find their way to the Ritani counter at their local jeweler soon will have an additional element added to their buying experience. The brand, best known for its unique clicks-and-bricks model that allows consumers to shop online and pick up (or not) at their local partner jeweler, introduced a new radio frequency identification (RFID) system that allows customers to easily compare multiple rings at once or adjust variables to see what style and size combination appeals the most.
The system includes a discreet sensor bar that sits unobtrusively behind the showcase door, and an iPad for sales associates to use in the presentation. As associates remove each ring from the showcase, the RFID-embedded tag attached to the ring passes over the sensor, sending a high-resolution image of the ring onto the iPad screen. The demo used an iPad Air with the Retina display. From there, customers can change the metal color, stones, size, quality, or anything they desire—and for those uncertain of their choice, a simple tap of a button will send an email with a co-branded image of the ring to friends.
The Ritani app homepage, here co-branded with KG Trout, above. Below, when a sales associate slides a ring across the hidden sensor, its RFID tag immediately sends an image of that particular ring to the screen so the associate and customer can compare styles side by side.
“The first-time engagement ring customer is typically a digitally native Millennial. They’ve shopped at the Apple store, so to them the 18 inches of a jewelry counter may as well be the Grand Canyon,” said Ritani president Brian Watkins. But when you integrate the technology they’re used to, they become more loyal and they share the experience, he added.
Naturally, like any online diamond shopping site, the Ritani.com site has a robust section on education. But unlike other sites that merely explain to Four C’s, Ritani’s interactive experience shows the customer exactly what each C means in real life. Using an iPhone-like slider bar, customers can see what each size, shape, clarity, and color of stone looks like on the hand. The interactive display really shows a customer what the difference is between, say, a VVS and an SI, or between G and K color, as well as every choice in between and beyond.
Above: Like any website selling diamonds, Ritani's has a robust education section, but here consumers can slide a button to view different grades of color, clarity, and size, below.
For the retailer, the program has a comprehensive back-end view to see sales reports, associate close rates, ad views, web traffic, and more.
Final touches are being put on the RFID program for fall 2014. It will roll out to about 10-15 select partner stores in a pilot program this fall, with a national rollout scheduled for 2015.
Watkins emphasizes that supporting the independent jeweler is Ritani’s core focus. As more pure-play e-tailers see the value of having brick-and-mortar stores, Ritani aims to make sure its brand is part of the mix in trusted retailers who already are established presences in their communities.
Watch an exclusive video interview and demonstration with Brian Watkins here.
Trac Tech Systems Wins JCK’s Shark Tank
Las Vegas, NV—TracTech Systems, manufacturers of RFID (radio frequency identification) inventory management technology, won the JCK Shark Tank competition at the recent JCK Show in Las Vegas. Members of the audience voted for TracTech to win out of six companies who were invited to give seven-minute presentations about their products or services. The audience then was asked to vote on the presentations.
The Shark Tank concept, based on the ABC-TV series, first debuted in the jewelry industry at the Centurion Scottsdale show in February. Both JCK and CBG then offered similar versions at their shows in Las Vegas.
TracTech CEO Keven Peck and chief IT officer Meir Strobel delivered their company’s performance at JCK. While both are excited they won, they’re more excited to deliver the message about TracTech’s RFID system to the jewelry industry.
“We truly believe our system will change the way the industry runs,” said Peck. “TracTech will save people time, money, and a lot of frustration, and it’s my pleasure to showcase this to my peers.”
TracTech Systems offers an array of RFID jewelry tags, printers, and readers. It is the first system of its kind within the industry, and was created in close partnership with jewelry veterans. To learn more, call (212) 682-4172.
No "Jaws" here: TracTech's happy winners.
Ritmo Mundo Driver Wins Indy 500
Indianapolis, IN—Ritmo Mundo-sponsored IndyCar driver, Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Motor Sports, won his first INDY 500 race over Memorial Day Weekend. "I'm a proud American boy, that's for sure,” Hunter-Reay proclaimed to the world in the Victory Lane post-race interview, while proudly wearing his Ritmo QUANTUM collection watch. For more information on this event and other global news click here and here.
Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Motor Sports with his IndyCar and trophy.