Jewelers Mutual Snaps Up E-Commerce Group

RAPAPORT... Insurance company Jewelers Mutual Group has acquired Gem + Jewel, an e-commerce specialist that aggregates products from independent jewelers and helps them sell to the public.Gem + Jewel provides jewelers with websites for their own businesses, as well as online inventory hosting, and helps expand their e-commerce product offerings. The model allows retailers and suppliers to share profits from sales. Meanwhile, Jewelers Mutual will use Gem + Jewel's technology to enhance Zing, its online sourcing marketplace."Our goal is to help jewelers more efficiently expand their customer base and effectively grow their e-commerce businesses," said Mike Alexander, executive vice president at Jewelers Mutual, in a statement last week. The parties did not disclose financial details.Image: Jewelry production. (Shutterstock)