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Concord, NC--The Edge Retail Academy (ERA), a leading provider of jewelry business advisory services,has presented its third annual William (Wag) Wagner Business Excellence Award to Sam and Jane Falls of Falls Jewelers, a North Carolina family-owned business founded in 1990. Falls Jewelers is renowned for its top-notch customer care, expert custom jewelry design, and unparalleled inventory mix. Edge Retail Academy presented the jewelers with the award and a check for $1000. Image: Spencer, Sam, Jane, and Caleb Falls

David Brown, ERA president, commented “The Falls are very focused on diligently reviewing business metrics and applying best practices to make meaningful improvements to their store’s financial health. In 2020, this focus paid off: Falls Jewelers increased sales by 24% and raised gross profit by 28%, while reducing their aged inventory by 20%.”

Stephen Barnes, the Falls’ ERA business advisor, said the Falls team embraced ERA’s strategies and tools so effectively that the jeweler is now debt-free and looking to expand to a second location this year.

Sam Falls said, “When we first started with ERA a year ago, we never dreamed our business would be in the financial position it is in now. I have a renewed passion for our business and tremendous hope for future successes.”

The Edge Retail Academy’s William (Wag) Wagner Business Excellence Award is given annually to one retail jeweler that has achieved the most exceptional business growth in the past 12 months.  “The Award has two goals: (1) to acknowledge business excellence from independent retailers and (2) to honor the memory of long serving ERA Business Advisor William (Wag) Wagner, whose service, loyalty and advice went well beyond the expectations of our clients, his work colleagues and our company,” said Mr. Brown. “We honor Wag's enormous integrity, sense of fair play and friendship.” Wag passed away in September, 2018.

The late William (Wag) Wagner, for whom the award is named.

This is the third presentation of the award. Last year’s winner was Rottermond Jewelers of Milford, MI.