(IDEX Online) - Online diamond bridal jewelry retailer JamesAllen.com has officially opened its new brick and mortar retail store in Georgetown, Washington DC.
The firm said the store offers an OmniChannel experience by providing a new, complementary way for JamesAllen.com customers to explore, research, and purchase its products.
JamesAllen.com was acquired last year by Signet Jewelers, the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry. Signet seeks to expand its OmniChannel strategy by blending e-commerce with brick-and-mortar shopping experiences.
"We're excited to continue executing Signet's Customer-First OmniChannel strategy with this new shopping experience from JamesAllen.com, integrating both our digital and physical retail platforms," said Virginia C. Drosos, Chief Executive Officer at Signet Jewelers. "The world-class innovation and technology at the core of JamesAllen.com's business will come to life in the new location, redefining the jewelry shopping experience for our customers."
Oded Edelman, co-founder and president of JamesAllen.com, said: "Our new brick-and-mortar location allows JamesAllen.com to continue innovating and pioneering the future of retail. This in-store shopping experience in Georgetown brings our brand to life and creates a truly one-of-a-kind immersive experience for our customers."
The concept store will feature:
Virtual Reality: using a VR headset while viewing a 3D video with narration, customers can learn about the 4Cs and how to make the best decision when buying diamonds
Coffee Bar with "iGrade": using patented tablet-based technology that enables customers to browse and grade diamond quality online for peer-to-peer preference comparisons
Ring Try-On Photo Booth: customers can take pictures with diamond rings and upload the images to their social channels, with added visual elements including GIFs and animation, for instant feedback from family and friends
Self-Service Diamond Display Table: 10-foot table display featuring best-selling engagement rings, giving customers instant access to diamond rings without needing a key or associate.
The firm said that as a demonstration of JamesAllen.com's OmniChannel strategy, customer service representatives at the store will also be available to assist customers through online channels. When employees at the Georgetown location are not assisting customers in-person, they will continue to provide service to customers online, from the same Georgetown location.
The new retail storefront will be in the center of Georgetown's popular cobblestoned streets with nearby boutiques, galleries and upscale dining, and is located at 3109 M Street NW in Washington, D.C.