Marrying Millennials

You know a demographic is just too big to be ignored when pro football teams start catering to it. This year, the San Francisco 49ers have begun tackling the challenge of coaching their newest recruits, Millennials, the generation of 18- to 34-year olds taking the world by storm. As a retailer, you need to take a play from the 49ers’ playbook and think about ways you can reach Gen Y. And we’re here to help. Last month, we shared five tips for getting Millennials in your store. Today, we’ll tell you how Ever&Ever, Stuller’s newest bridal offering, appeals to this high-spending group.

Styling

Millennials represent our present and our future, but this generation loves styles that hearken back to the past. Rather than asking granny to hand over her engagement ring, though, prospective grooms are looking for new rings withvintage looks that can be customized to meet their exact specifications. Ever&Ever offers an assortment of traditional styles that fit the bill. Of course, young brides aren’t completely eschewing on-trend styles. Just as many want engagement rings that reflect the new and popular. Morgan Bares, Stuller’s Bridal Product Manager, explains, “The two-tone look is definitely in right now; we’ve seen it at all the major shows and all over Hollywood. New brides like the idea of mixing and matching metals to create something completely unique.” Fortunately, Ever&Ever offers the two-tone look that many contemporary brides are choosing.

Personalization

No matter which style they choose as a starting point, Millennials aren’t content to buy off the shelf. They want an engagement ring that reflects their uniqueness. This is a generation that cares deeply about social issues, but it’s also the generation that made “selfie” the Oxford Dictionaries’ 2013 Word of the Year. Critics call selfies narcissistic; fans call it authentic. Whichever side of the fence you’re on, there’s no denying that Millennials have a clearly defined sense of self that they want to see displayed in their purchases.

That’s why customization is a must for this crowd. Ever&Ever offers 122 flexible 3C styles, each one representing 1,000 unique styles that you can create on Stuller.com. For the couple wanting even more than options than even Stuller.com can provide, these rings can be further modified with CounterSketch Studio® or through our CAD/CAM department. With a few clicks of a mouse, your Millennial couple will be taking a selfie with their newly customized engagement ring.

Social Media

But what good is a selfie without a way to share it with the world? Millennials are the most connected generation in history. They share the noodle bowl they ate for lunch on Instagram. They share vacation photos on Facebook. They pin e- cards on Pinterest. Of course they want to share this most momentous occasion with everyone they know. Ever&Ever shares pictures through their Instagram and Facebook accounts and encourages Ever&Ever brides to do the same. With all the benefits of Ever&Ever and a complete package of consumer marketing materials, including ads, billboards, social media posts, emails, poster images and more, you’ll reach this key demographic in a whole new way.

What are Millennials buying in your store? How do you appeal to their preferences? Share your experiences in the comments section.

Go All Out, Baby!

I admit it: I was well into my, uh, 20s when I had my first pedicure. And, frankly, I would never have crossed the threshold of the spa if it hadn’t been for a gift certificate that was nearing its expiration. The scene is still crystal clear. I walked into the spa and was instantly greeted by a feast for the senses: the warm glow of the chandelier, the vanilla scent diffuser, the luxurious robe, the decadent madeleines… Ah, I’m transported just remembering it. But all of that pales in comparison to actual pedicure. I wish I could say that I could recall it in the same vivid detail as the first moments in the spa, but I was so relaxed that I fell asleep at some point. All I know is that when I stopped snoring snoozing, I awoke to find soft, smooth feet and beautifully polished nails. I was hooked. For life.

And now, when I really need to feel pampered, I schedule time with the same lady who first introduced me to the bliss that is a pedicure. These little breaks from the stress and strife of daily life can be somewhat expensive, but every now and then, I splurge. Call it a boon for my mental health. (And, for the record, science backs me up on the health benefits of splurging.)

Today is National Splurge Day, the opportunity for all of us – your customers included – to spend a little something extra, just because we can. And, really, is there any better way to splurge than on jewelry? (No, seriously, if you know it, please tell me because jewelry beats even pedicures in my mind.) I’ve picked out some of my all-time favorite pieces that are sure to please all sorts – especially those with discerning taste. Encourage your customers to check out what you have to offer by sharing these pics on your Pinterest or Facebook pages. Tweet any special offers you might have to really entice those who want to splurge but not break the bank.

18kt White 12 CTW Diamond Line 7.25″Bracelet 18kt Yellow South Sea Cultured Pearl, Amethyst, Peridot, Citrine & London Blue Topaz Necklace

14kt White 5 CTW Diamond Inside/Outside Hoop Earrings South Sea Cultured Pearl Bracelet

Tahitian Cultured & Diamond Ring And let’s not forget dear old Dad; his special day is just around the corner. Encourage him to splurge on some of these cool items.

Men’s Squadron Chrono Watch with Black Dial, Black Strap, & PVD Case

Posh Mommy® Engravable Daddy Dog Tag

For more splurge-worthy ideas, check out our Pinterest page. Feel free to re-pin them for those who follow you.

Congratulations to Anita Burgess! Let’s hear it for Anita Burgess ofAnita’s Jewelry in Meridian, Idaho. She’s the winner of our Mother’s Day advice contest. For her winning entry, Anita will receive our very popular monogram kit, a $100 value. Here’s what Anita shared:

My Mom passed away when I was 16, 43 years ago. Now, I am her age and I remember her telling me. “Always remember no matter what color,race,or what they have done. There is good and bad in us all – Find the good in people and you will be happy” I was so confused by her comment at the time, but as the years have passed I understand even more what she was saying. A color,race,nationality, gender, or what you have done, does not determine who you are, the person inside of you determines that. I am very fortunate that in a world that in her day they lived a life of discrimination. — in my day we are trying to change and I can accept a person for who they are….. She was ahead of the times. I have friends from every walk of life and I am a better person because she let me choose my friends because of how they treated me, not because of the color of their skin or the area they were born. Find the good and you will be happy…

Beautiful advice indeed. Thanks for sharing, Anita! And happy Mother’s Day to all of you out there. Here’s hoping you have a day of rest, relaxation, food, and flowers!

Go Green or Go Home, Part IV

Wednesday, April 22nd was , an opportunity to reflect on the environment and our relationship with it. This week we’ll be featuring several articles and videos about how Stuller stands by its commitment to environmental standards and social responsibility. In Part IV of this series, you’ll learn about Stuller’s commitment to recycling.

Share your thoughts about Earth Day and sustainability in the comments section.

Read part I here.

Read part II here.

Read part III here.

Go Green or Go Home, Part III Today is Earth Day, an opportunity to reflect on the environment and our relationship with it. This week we’re be featuring several articles and videos about how Stuller stands by its commitment to environmental standards and social responsibility. In Part III of this series, you’ll see how Stuller recycles waste water and spent investment.

Read part I of the series here.

Read part II of the series here.

Go Green or Go Home, Part II

Wednesday, April 22nd is Earth Day, an opportunity to reflect on the environment and our relationship with it. This week we’ll be featuring several articles and videos about how Stuller stands by its commitment to environmental standards and social responsibility. In Part II of this series, Stuller associates talk about our environmental stance. Which environmental issues are closest to your heart? Share them in the comments section.

Read part I of the series here.

Throw me something, mister!

As if all the holiday excesses weren’t enough (oh, don’t pretend you didn’t eat too much at Thanksgiving), we start celebrating season on the Feast of the – a mere 12 days after ! It’s six weeks of rich, fatty (and therefore delicious) food, lavish balls, festive parades with ornate floats, and all-around merriment. The entire season culminates on Mardi Gras day (French for “Fat Tuesday”), when we really do it up before , the beginning of the penitential season of .

You might associate Mardi Gras with , the city known for its extravagant parties and raucous parades, but Lafayette and other communities throughout have their own unique celebrations. Here in Lafayette, Mardi Gras krewes maneuver their giant floats all over the city while kids and grown-ups alike shout, “Throw me something, mister!” in the hopes of scoring beads and doubloons. Mamou, Church Point, Basile, and other small towns in the area celebrate Fat Tuesday with the Courir de Mardi Gras (“run of Mardi Gras” in English). This fascinating tradition involves – among other unusual activities – convening at sunrise, donning crazy costumes, riding horses, brandishing whips, and chasing chickens (yes, really). Mix with copious amounts of alcohol, and you have a recipe for hilarity. Of course, with horses and buckets of hurricane cocktails, things can sometimes go awry (uh, not that I’m speaking from experience or anything), but on the whole, the Courir de Mardi Gras is ridiculously fun.

At Stuller, we celebrate Mardi Gras with – what else? – food. (No, I’m not telling you how much I consumed this season, but in the words of Shakira, “hips don’t lie.”) Departments throughout the building join in the festivities by decorating their spaces with purple, gold, and green streamers. And on the big day itself, we bring crockpots with , links of boudin (a yummy Cajun sausage), platters of cracklin, and lots more. It’s the kind of experience you’d expect from all the fun-loving folks who work here.

Even if you don’t celebrate Mardi Gras where you live, all of us at Stuller wish you the reverie of the season. And if you’ve never been to for the big day, I hope you’ll consider coming next year. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Have you ever been to Louisiana for Mardi Gras? Tell us about your experience in the comments section.