10 STATE OF THE MAJORS 2018 By all indications, 2017 was a strong year for the watch and jewelry industry in North America, but not all retailers shared in the wealth. In this analysis of National Jeweler’s exclusive “$100 Million Supersellers” and “Top 50 Specialty Jewelers” lists, we examine what separates the retailers that saw sales climb and expanded operations from those headed in the opposite direction. Following the analysis are the lists themselves, which detail sales data, store count, top executives, key brands and more for 2017. LOSINGmid THE STATE OF THE MAJORS THE DIAMOND INDUSTRY JEWELRY DESIGN THE COLORED STONE MARKET BY MICHELLE GRAFF It’s time for jewelers to come to terms with what makes for a successful retail operation today: differentiated products, services and/ or experiences, and a strong social media presence that connects them to consumers. (Photo courtesy of MVMT/@taliacupcake)