Podcast: Jewelry's Pivotal Moment

RAPAPORT... Lisa Bridge, CEO of jewelry chain Ben Bridge, chats with Rapaport's Avi Krawitz about her recent appointment as president of the American Gem Society (AGS) and the mood among US jewelry retailers as they head into the second half of 2022. In this episode of the Rapaport Diamond Podcast, the two also discuss how the industry continues to evolve in the post-pandemic environment, some of retail's biggest challenges, and Ben Bridge's growth plans moving forward. Listen to the podcast here:Discussion points:01:15 - Introduction01:50 - Lisa explains her new role as AGS president.03:40 - How the industry is at a pivotal moment, and the mood in the market amid economic headwinds.07:30 - Avi asks how storytelling has evolved post Covid-19 and how selling changed during the pandemic.11:35 - How a larger retailer can maintain a personal connection with its customer base. 15:10 - Lisa elaborates on the impact of Ben Bridge's departure from its Pandora partnership and the jeweler's expansion plans.19:20 - The role of technology in Ben Bridge's strategy.21:00 - Avi quizzes Lisa about her taste in jewelry.24:35 - Lisa gives a forecast on what to expect for the second half of the year.This episode of the Rapaport Diamond Podcast is sponsored by De Beers Group Ignite: Pioneering a new diamond world through innovation.